Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot

I was shocked the first time I listened through Sir Lucious Left Foot, then a second and third time. I had been hearing good things. The mix tape was great, but I wasn’t prepared for this. This is what Hip-Hop should song like.

It’s been so long since we’ve heard new material by OutKast that I was kinda worried that Big Boi, often seen as the lesser half behind Andre 3000, wouldn’t stack up. But from the opening Daddy Fat Stax, it’s nothing but gold. The production is nothing short of perfect, as to be expected with names like Scott Storch and Organized Noize. There’s a great sense of balance between loud stompers (Shutterbug, Daddy Fat Stax) and softer, more heavily and diversely musical tracks we’re used to from OutKast (Turns Me On, Shine Blockas) Then there’s Big Boi’s amazing flow and lyrics, which will speak for themselves when you hear it.

It’s without a doubt the best release of 2010 and I can’t say enough good things about it.

Slum Village - Fantastic Vol. 2.

In my book, Slum Village is a few steps up from the ultra jazzy Tribe Called Quest and a leap above the master of cool Mos Def and a world above the political angst and fist to your face beats of Public Enemy. They're all masters of the genre, but Slum Village has that vibe, you know what I'm saying? That late night smoothness. And not to mention J Dilla. How can you not love the unique sleek production worlds greatest beatsmith? Fantastic Vol. 2 stacks up right next to Tribes genre bender Low End Theory.

If you're in it for the beats, I would point you towards the timeless Fall In Love. Its a masterpiece.

Eternal Summers - Eternal Summers EP

Just some great minimalist songs. They use punk structures and fill them with very non punk cords. It's almost like a lazy more organic sounding 'Vivian Girls'. It's been heard to find anything decent that's not electronic. Check out Able To and Fall Straight Back for some mindless easy listening tunes.