Keith has built an entire career on his abstract, stream-of-consciousness rhymes, which scream loudly throughout the 11-track project. ... An undeniably intriguing affair.

Equipped with drowsy articulation tinged with a melodic pinch of raspiness, Xan is far from an astute lyricist but isn’t actually a slouch on the mic in terms of flow and rhyme schemes.

The few times she steps out her killzone results in messy break-up anthems such as the languid “Be Careful,” a pop chart over-reach where strained vocals and vulnerability make for a mismatch. To her credit, Cardi is fully capable of spitting bars with brazen energy.

Yes, it’s true the mini-album doesn’t break any new ground, and--as he’s done in the past — revisits elements of previous projects. However, without the bloated tracklist of Starboy, and any attempt to please an audience outside of his core, the lack of innovation doesn’t seem take away from the concise, focused, conceptual nature of this well-produced R&B gem (thanks to Frank Dukes, Mike Will Made It and several other notables).

This isn’t a simple listen. The lyrical punches fly faster than a speeding bullet, making it impossible to digest the staggering amount of content in a single sitting. It requires an acute attention to detail and several run-throughs to truly capture the brilliance of the project.

Lil Boat 2 is a simply a weird musical vacation that sets sail into the strange mind of the impactful red-haired youngster.

Minor potholes aside, Victory Lap not only boosts Nipsey’s stock but it raises expectations for the next time he eyes a checkered flag. The benchmark for quality has been set and the race to officially hit the championship podium is only getting revved up.

Genre inconsistencies aside, Effected is a clear statement Cozz doesn’t just want to be the conversation with the best rappers.

There is by no means dazzling wordplay, vivid storytelling or smash hits to be indulged through Amen but there are some strong beats courtesy of the man himself.

Sitting at 11 tracks and clocking in at a relatively short 40 minutes, the project is an exciting blend of vibes. The project’s sound is diverse, traversing a lo-fi, basement aesthetic, A$AP-level soundbeds and Yeezy-esque ambient experimentation. The glue is the careful curation of the listening experience and--without question--his lyrics.

While the bulk of the songs can’t disguise their rush-job origins, tinges of Trap Boy Magic do spring up from time to time.

It’s the stellar storytelling that elevates East’s themes above standard thuggery and stamps P2 a memorable affair.

While he may not be at the level of Compton’s Most Wanted’s 1992 classic Music To Driveby or DJ Quik’s 1995 magnum opus Safe + Sound, Perico is making a valiant effort to get there. To his credit, he’s reignited an interest in G-Funk during a time when trap music and one-hit wonders rule the airwave.

Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho conveys exactly what fans might expect from two of the hottest trap rappers out. Soaring, robo-rhythmic tunes? Check. Endless braggadocio? Check. A seamless blend of vocoder-tinged singing and cocky flows? Check, check, Nike Swoosh. But don’t expect a structured, meticulous project. Rather, it feels as if La Flame and the Migos leader went into the studio, indulged in the ganja, and all grooviness broke loose.

Super Slimey falls tragically short of being considered a strong joint project and it’s inherently clear that they still shine brightest as individuals.

Woods brings a lot of strong vocal performances to this project that get mixed smoothly with the production staff’s downtempo rhythms. Those seeking more upbeat output from Woods will appreciate the few times there are bustling bumps in the baseline but at its core it’s the type of hour-long album that makes for a perfect rainy-day playlist.

Pressure will appease fans looking for mindless tunes to cruise or smoke to but Snowman’s reluctance to push the envelope at the risk of alienating his longtime congregation is simply frustrating.

Established formulas of pandering singles and assembly line choruses aside, The Beautiful & Damned possesses enough serious assertiveness and classic Bay area slick talk to get burn well into 2018.

While Rubba Band Business: The Album is far from the iconic and groundbreaking material this man has created over his storied career, Juicy still champions a project fans of the Memphis rap legend can still find appetizing in a few morsels.

The work and musical experiments Brockhampton has proven to be a successful one. Tradition means nothing to a project like Saturation III, as constant themes of vulnerability poverty, violence, sexuality gives listeners nothing but honest perspectives.

While Em’s bullheaded decision to experiment with the flow should be heartily respected, it doesn’t shroud the fact that he’s not charting any new territory, at least topically. But it’s largely the retreads of past glory where he hits stride the hardest.

While it would be easy to get lost in the eclecticism of the album, that’s frankly what makes N.E.R.D the group they are.

It’s disappointing no standalone soundbed reaches the hypnotic levels of Sean’s “Bounce Back” instant classic, but there’s still a tremendous amount of experimentation worth noting throughout the 10-song ultimate misfire. ... Sean spends a ridiculous amount of time skeeting on tracks with no filter on the filler.

Not surprisingly, Kweli truly shines on the politically motivated tracks when he’s able to rap about things he’s passionate about.

A lot of the otherworldly iterations might make it difficult for some of his peers to grasp, especially if you don’t have the time to properly digest it. SYRE requires patience, a thorough listen and acute attention to detail otherwise it’s just going to sound like a strange pontification on existentialism that the casual listener simply doesn’t have the time to decipher.

Like most projects that get recorded without the guise of a meticulous A&R, Without Warning’s billing never exceeds the expectations of any artist--rapper or producer--let alone offer a glimpse of what allows these individuals to rank amongst 2017 Hip Hop’s most popular figures.

Even with nothing to truly prove, Ty Dolla $ign managed to once again assert dominance in an overcrowded lane of crooners who get likened to rappers.

It does highlight Justin Scott and Big K.R.I.T. in their truest essence; spiritual, witty, and loyal to Mississippi, with overly soulful, southern production. Thanks to 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time, Justin Scott has once and for all ensured that his musical legacy is worth remembering.