Seven’s Travels

Seven’s TravelsAs point man for the Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers crew, Atmosphere MC Slug put heartland hip-hop on the map. Likewise, he’s always written from the heart, and Seven’s Travels–the fourth Atmosphere full-length, and first released under a licensing agreement with the venerable punk imprint Epitaph–finds that agenda unchanged. Though familiar antagonist Lucy Ford appears only once, these tracks are packed with passionate meditations on typical topics, pitting confidence against recrimination, parenthood against partying, joy against anger, love against sex. And while Slug spills his guts in the spotlight, the stage isn’t his alone; from the neck-snapping beats of “Trying to Find A Balance” to the cartoonish suspense theme of “Gotta Lotta Walls” and the naked acoustic guitar behind “Always Coming Back Home to You,” Seven’s Travels features some of Ant’s most adventurous and assured production, plus contributions from Mr. Dibbs and Brother Ali, whose scorched-earth verses drive “Cats Van Bags.” –Anders Smith Lindall

• Epitaph / Ada