Tech N9ne

Having released Something Else this past summer, Tech N9ne (otherwise known as rapper who stays on his grind) is already back with new EP Therapy. Working with legendary nu-metal producer Ross Robinson (Slipknot, Korn, Limp Bizkit), the 11-track album takes a trip to the alternative realm of rap, which Tech N9ne also excels at. While initially it doesn't sound like a hip-hop album, long-time collaborative producer Seven offers familiar instrumentals and a backbone that match Tech's powerful vocals. Featuring Krizz Kaliko, "Public School" foreshadows what's to come, opening with heavy metal sounds complemented by Tech's even heavier lyrics about the education system. Similarly, "Head Now," featuring Strange Music's Wrekonize and Bernz, is a head-nodding anthem, one more rooted in Tech's verses than the music. "When Demons Come," which is assisted by rock singer Tyler Lyon's slow, grungy vocals, is a dark, mysterious track, while the gritty "Shame on Me," featuring Caroline Dupuy, tells the tragic tale of "good guy finishes last." Therapy also features three skits that highlight conversations between Tech N9ne and Ross Robinson, one of which finds Tech describing Therapy as having "the potential to be something massive," and that "it'll prompt me to do more of it." There's power in Therapy's sonic landscape that candidly accentuates the strength of Tech N9ne's lyrics. While it's never been a secret that Tech N9ne's music often crosses into the heavy metal and rock realms, Therapy officially lets the cat out of the bag. As a hip-hop album, Therapy is heavily disconnected, but as a cross-genre project, this EP stands on its own.