SCHOOLBOY Q Vinyl & CDs

Review: Led by recent single 'Yeern 101', Blue Lips marks Schoolboy Q's sixth studio album, a crowning achievement for a rapper now entering the for-the-ages establishing era of his career. Following up 2019's Crash Talk, it's been a good five years, with Q flexxing his ability to take his time; in the run-up, the rapper commented on this decision to move slowly but surely by clarifying that he does not view releasing music as a sport. Despite this claim, Q still flaunts a lavish lifestyle here, yet still manages to spare no sense of humility, chopping and changing between flows while appearing to critique said stereotyped lifestyle from the inside. Instrumentally, it's dark and tinged in a navy-dyed smoke, taking production risks (the slow muted soul of 'Blueslides' is as tender as Q has ever sounded) and stylistic meanders across Mustardy ratchet, dusty crate-dug flips, and even jungle (!) on 'Foux'.

Review: In a break from their usual program, Circoloco look to Chicago and the rising star that is NEZ. Previously spotted last year on Three Six Zero alongside Felix Da Housecat, now NEZ throws down three varied cuts that show he's one to keep tabs on. First up comes 'You Wanna?', a pumped up peak time house cut with our man upfront inciting the dancefloor to come alive. 'Let's Get It' drops down into trap mode with Schoolboy Q jumping on the mic, and then the B side turns the heat up with the mighty Moodymann and Gangsta Boo chipping in to create a party monster in 'Freaks'. Skip this one at your peril.