To call Astronautalis a hip-hop artist would be like calling a rainbow red. In reality, the Minneapolis-based rapper struts across genres with reckless abandon, borrowing bits from big-band jazz, orchestral pop, Southern-inspired blues, and even punk rock. He’s been impressing us for over a decade now, and every time he releases a new record we have to wonder, “How on earth can he top the last one?”
All of this is to say that Astronautalis has now put up his new record for streaming on Soundcloud, and an initial listen confirms that it does, in fact, stand at or near the top of his body of work. On tracks like opener “Kurt Cobain”, lead single “Running Away From God”, and straight-up banger “Attila Ambrus”, the rapper showcases his relentless lyrical delivery against a brassy backdrop that would sound more at home in New Orleans than Minneapolis.
Adding to the musical diversity — and the Midwestern flavor — is the fact that Justin Vernon of Bon Iver executive produced the album, which is due out May 13th via SideOneDummy Records.
Stream Cut The Body Loose below.
Astronautalis kicks off a full tour of the US and Europe on May 5; check out the dates here.
