K-OS — Atlantis — Hymns For Disco

Hip-hop fans, rejoice. K-OS' third full-length is one for the ages, and I do mean all ages. "FlyPaper" is a far more tolerable version of the be-bop R&B style Andre 3000 wanted to so desperately emulate on the new Outkast record. "Equalizer" samples an Elvis guitar line and expertly balances K-OS' newer direction with his old one. Then the indie kids come out to play. "Sunday Morning" is driven by a stellar drum line produced by Death From Above 1979's Sebastian Grainger. Justin Peroff adds similar depth to the Bloc Party-esque "Born To Run" and Sam Roberts and Kevin Drew bolster the esoteric "Valhalla." At the end of it all is the soulful rap of "Ballad Of Noah," featuring a blistering Buck 65, the record's best chorus and K-OS' most sincere lyrics. The lyricism definitely takes a back seat to the beats, but who cares? Atlantis sounds nearly perfect.

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