Triune Gods (Sibitt, Bleubird & Scott Da Ros) Three Cornered World

The international trio of Triune Gods return with their second album. Canadian producer Scott Da Ros provides Japanese rapper-singer sibitt and American rapper bleubird with a soundscape of detailed but minimalist beats that emphasize drums and usually undergo many change-ups, with songs like "Kaonashi" and sibitt solo "??" often transitioning through a variety of beats neatly stitched together. It works for them; the constantly changing beats give the two versatile emcees plenty of opportunity to flex their styles of delivery, with sibitt coming off as extremely dynamic and entertaining despite the language barrier.

The wary listener might want to ease into the music with "Jitensha Punk," as the heavy drums, G-funk-inspired chorus, and catchy raps by both Bleubird and sabitt result in the album's most accessible song. Risk-takers may want to jump right into "Causing Terror," which does just that as it opens with a skittering drum pattern and monkish harmonizing before slipping into an uptempo groove with catchy opera samples, at least until the temporary break for more drum chaos during sabitt's first verse. ? Three Cornered World isn't an easy album and can even be a bit abrasive at times, but fans of experimental hip-hop will definitely dig it.
(Granma Music)