Aesop Rock “Fast Cars”

Aesop Rock counts as a major star in the world of independent rap, where he’s remained a flagship act of El-P’s Definitive Jux, arguably the most vital label in the hip-hop underground. Rock’s mindful rhymes stream out at warp speed, with a style built around Shakespearean jester’s mix of self-depreciation and incentive urgency. Rock stared down the streets and science-fiction with a strong focus on his 2003 album Bazooka Tooth, and he does much the same on the recent None Shall Pass, an album produced for the most part by Blockhead (read: non El-P), who also appears here. Expect lots of raised arms and furrowed brows. Opener Black Moth Super Rainbow plays a lo-fi mix of roller-disco jams, sunshine pop and what sounds like intercepted interstellar broadcasts as heard on its recent Dandelion Gum, the follow-up to last year’s collaboration with Austin’s own Octopus Project, The House of Apples and Eyeballs.

O-H H-E-L-L Y-E-S

Aesop Rock – “None Shall Pass”