Pigeon Hole

Already a duo before co-founding Sweatshop Union in 2000 with Dirty Circus, Kyprios and Innocent Bystander, Pigeon Hole finally released their debut album, Age Like Astronauts, in 2010, but less than three years later, they're back with a distinctly different follow-up. Rappers/producers Dusty Melodica and Mr. Marmalade are as musically adventurous as ever, but with Chimp Blood they trade in the throwback beats of their debut for a harder, darker sound dominated by synths and influenced by electronic dance music. It sounds more progressive and is often downright danceable. The two are obviously pros at production, a strength they highlight with three instrumentals and a couple of interludes. As rappers, they sound like they're having fun styling and playing around on the mic, but they do it with a great deal of attitude and skill. Their subject matter here is less serious than with Sweatshop Union; it's mostly braggadocio, with well-structured wordplay. Sequencing "Wolf Pack," "The Turk" and first single "Champion" as the opening three songs makes for an insane start, while "June" is a beautifully mellow, smoked-out instrumental. Chimp Blood is a fun ride that doesn't require any use of the skip button.