evilchili<p>Arrested Development - Adult Contemporary Hip Hop<br>Origin: Atlanta<br><a href="https://linernotes.club/tags/TastingNotes" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>TastingNotes</span></a>: Common, Jurassic 5, People Under the Stairs</p><p>July 4's most welcome surprise was a new Arrested Development record. They've always felt like a summer groove to me so I was delighted to see Adult Contemporary Hip Hop drop, and giving my first listen on headphones outside in the shade feels very right.</p><p>Hip Hop is a big place anymore, and my favourite records of the year so far are very contemporary; Yugen Blakrok and Billy Woods are pushing the music forward, and though Aesop Rock has been around even longer than Arrested Development his record is sonically and lyrically adventurous, full of modern technique. By comparison, Adult Contemporary Hip Hop feels classical, almost timeless. The production from Speech and Configa is vintage hip-hop -- rare groove and global soul samples over headbobbin boom-bap beats. Lyrically we're in familiar territory too: conscious rap, setups and punchlines, flowers for the true ones, celebration of black culture, and optimism for the future. No surprises, no weird left turns, and no features outside the AD family; in a year full of old heads with new joints, this is music by old heads for old heads, and everything you want from the Arrested Development collective.</p><p>The vibe is mostly chill (Pack It Up) but thoughtful, full of respect for those that came before and reflecting on the state of the world (Mil Town Soldier). When the crew does go full on rappin rappin (My Job Ain't Done, Original), they aren't afraid to remind you of their pedigree, their awards and influence, though AD are too relaxed to really flex. But mostly they're just having an excellent time making music, and I am here for it. Highly recommended.</p><p>Also extended family BeeTaylor has got killer flow. I'm gonna have to see where else she can be found!</p><p><a href="https://linernotes.club/tags/HipHop" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>HipHop</span></a> <a href="https://linernotes.club/tags/NowPlaying" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NowPlaying</span></a></p><p><a href="https://officialarresteddevelopment.bandcamp.com/album/adult-contemporary-hip-hop" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">officialarresteddevelopment.ba</span><span class="invisible">ndcamp.com/album/adult-contemporary-hip-hop</span></a></p>