Casual hip-hop fans may think the phrase “relatable rapper” is an oxymoron. Very few listeners share the glamorous concerns and luxurious intrigues detailed in the songs of stars like Cardi B, Drake and Gunna.
The music of Atmosphere’s Sean “Slug” Daly, however, addresses the same issues I face as a late middle-aged Midwesterner. We both allow money worries, parenthood and unhealthy habits to affect our self-esteem. Additionally, Slug and I take refuge in music obsessive nerdery.
The gimmick of Atmosphere’s 14th studio album Jestures doesn’t interest me. Each of the titles of the 26 songs correspond with a letter of the alphabet. But the beats crafted by Slug’s not-so-silent partner Ant make almost every one of the 71 minutes engaging.
Like me, Slug sometimes gets corny. Yet his flow is impeccable even when his rhymes induce eyerolls. Both of us dare to embrace a cautious optimism in an era of absurd hatefulness. Speaking of jestures, "Atmosphere finally made a good record."