ESGN US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Five years on, Freddie has lost none of its impact. The fourth studio album from Freddie Gibbs dropped in a blizzard of hype and some slick marketing, but don't let that and the smooth figure he cuts on the cover fool you. This album is rough as hell where it counts, not least on the deadly, bass-loaded creep of 'Automatic' and the 03 Greedo-featuring 'Death Row'. Other notable guest spots include Gibbs' own daughter Irie Jane Gibbs and Cassie Jo Craig and production work from Kenny Beats, RichGains and Tony Seltzer alongside Gibbs himself. It's a masterclass in modern rap with plenty of thug swagger to get the subs in your truck rattling good n' proper, and if you missed the wax first time around you won't want to sleep on it now.

Review: Now enjoying an ever more celebrated status in the hip hop world off the back of his albums with Madlib, Freddie Gibbs is back in solo mode with You Only Live 2wice, his third full-length studio album. It comes after the artist has endured some difficulties in his personal life and the experiences of overcoming those is what influences and inspires the music here. As he rises from the ashes - an idea which is embodied on the album cover - he goes it totally alone on all eight cuts with nary a guest in sight. He bares his soul throughout with the well-received and violin-laced single 'Crushed Glass' sitting next to standout hits such as '20 Karat Jesus' and 'Amnesia.' It's a great return.