Atmosphere’s ‘So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously’ Expands Their Palette
Ant and Slug of Atmosphere craft an album that expands the duo’s palette, explores the intersections of opposites, and makes portraits out of poetry.
alternative hip-hop
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of April 2023
This month’s new, best hip-hop column looks underground at gems from the likes of Fly Anakin, Avelino, Lloyd Banks, and many more.
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Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of February 2023
February’s best hip-hop projects feature angular experiments, tranquil vibes, a returning legend, and boundaries being blurred.
Oddisee’s Odyssey Is Odd on ‘To What End’
The beauty of To What End is that it sits at the summit of Oddisee’s output, a rapper and producer at the height of his powers.
Young Fathers Are Back and Getting ‘Heavy Heavy’
Young Fathers declare their awareness of what’s going on but take it a step further. Heavy Heavy urges the audience to do the heavy lifting and “have fun”.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of October 2022
Featuring the likes of Flohio, Westside Gunn, and Open Mike Eagle, this month’s best hip-hop is an eclectic and thoughtful range of new releases.
The Noise of the World, Turning on Itself: Dälek’s ‘From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots’
From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots established Dälek as the finest underground, deconstructive hip-hop outfit that ever toured with heavy-metal heavyweights and held their own.
Boyfriend’s ‘Sugar & Spice’ Is a Bold and Varied Blend of Pop and Hip-Hop
Boyfriend’s Sugar & Spice is full of maximalist pop and hip-hop. It delights in obliterating traditional gender roles and celebrates anything-goes sexuality.
Sampa the Great Soars Aabove Her Whole Industry on ‘As Above, So Below’
On Sampa the Great’s As Above, So Below, she makes music with incredible clarity of purpose and affirms a sense of interconnected self and heritage.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of August 2022
August’s selection of the best hip-hop is an especially strong bunch, featuring long-awaited team-ups, debut masterclasses, and a previously-lost gem.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of June 2022
Following underwhelming releases by the genre’s big hitters, this month’s column dives underground in search of the best hip-hop gems.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of May 2022
An especially strong month in hip-hop saw the release of brilliant albums from, amongst others, Kendrick Lamar, Black Star, 700 Bliss, and Boldy James.