Dels

From producing rock's greatest acts like the Beatles, Stones and Led Zeppelin to emerging new soul singer Adele, the UK has always been, and will continue to be, a country of great musicality. One genre that they have always struggled with, however, is hip-hop. Ipswich's Dels looks to change all of that and lead a new charge for British rap on his debut LP, Gob, and you know what? He does a pretty damn good job. With a remix courtesy of TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek ("Gob") and solid production from Hot Chip's Joe Goddard, Micachu and Kwes, utilizing equal parts UK garage, dub, electro and elements of drum & bass, Dels has injected life back into the British hip-hop "scene," which has barely been kept alive by the only other memorable British MC in recent years, Roots Manuva, who also makes the album's only guest appearance, on the raucous "Capsize." While definitely an acquired taste, keeping your options open will allow you to enjoy this innovative and futuristic offering, particularly the Sleigh Bells-esque digital grating of "Violina." UK, stand up.