Bring It Back: the album's title track is also the first track. It purports to be a mission statement about this album - “bring the boom bap back” - but it lacks the raw, '90s, big-drums energy we might have expected. The chorus, punctuated by a strangely muted cry of “breathe, motherfucker!” is the song's nadir. Next is All The Above: solid raps notable for the appearance Thundamentals emcees Tuk and Jes. A so-so start, then, but on the album's third tune we realise how smart Illy is, and how much he has thought about the music he makes. Where Ya Been is a reflection on our host's frustrations and his occasional lack of productivity. Something of a coup, he has drafted in Pez for a guest verse. Pez is coping with a serious illness so he is able to make a real point about how many times a rapper can be asked, “where ya been?” Illy's work is elevated in this company.

There are plenty of other examples of our host's smarts elsewhere, too. Where Is My Mind Part 2 is a stunning achievement: three verses crammed full of references to Australian rap songs and albums; some canonical, some not. He broaches the most fundamental issue in art on Heard It All. Throughout he implores listeners in sing-song, “please forgive me if it all sounds so familiar.” He closes surprisingly, making a different point: “I'm only one voice but that voice speaks up for y'all.”

There is a lingering frustration listening to this album. Illy is so obviously intelligent. He respects his fans and listeners enough to think carefully about the art he's making. He has moments of real transcendence (“Fuck Bel Air. The prince of M-E-L's in here!” is a classic fist pump moment) but Bring It Back doesn't fully deliver on its promise or its creator's talent.