GDP

On opening track "Cognitive Behavior Therapy," West Orange, NJ MC GDP raps: "Remind a motherfucker why I started listening in the first place," and this one line sets the mood for the whole of new album Realistic Expectations. With a slightly nasal voice abused by years of alcohol and weed use, gully hip-hop head GDP spits raps about drugs, sex, his hometown and the four elements. He captures his life as a struggling rapper on the come-up in great detail: playing in seedy dives, free-styling in the park and doing interviews with ignorant journalists, all while embracing his various vices. J Stamps' heavy drums and innovative sample selection (such as the subtle church bell in up-tempo banger "Cognitive Behavior Therapy" or the old school speak-easy jazz on "Where We Live And What We Lived For") provide the grimy, lo-fi soundtrack that unifies the album. But Junkwaffel's mix of crunching drums, droning guitar and ethereal background harmonies ("Ode to J.R. And Applied Insomnia") and DJ Prime Incognito's mix of muddy drums and light keys ("A Dialog Between The Resolved Soul and Created Pleasure") are also a good fit. An accompanying DVD with a GDP documentary and bonus Division East videos provides even greater insight into the reality-based lyrics. One of the most refreshing hip-hop releases I've heard in a long time.