Album Review: JJ Doom - Key To The Kuffs

Around the world, DOOM fans have been pretty excited of late for the release of his new album, Key To The Kuffs, another collab that this time sees the villain team up with alternative hip hop rapper/producer Jneiro Jarel (Dr Who Dat?). While the sound of the new album is slightly different from its predecessors, fans shouldn't be let down. Some haters always gonna hate, but more lovin' listeners can expect to find DOOM spitting bars in his classic gruff and witty style that is coupled with the ultra-alternative beats produced by Jarel.

Jarel's style of production sees the album move into a quasi-twisted realm of complex and distorted electronic hip hop beats that are pretty rad and still seem to work alongside the favoured rapper's vocals. Listeners of the album will also be pleased to find some very impressive featured artists including Damon Albarn of Blur/Gorillaz, long time Outkast collaborator Kujo Goodie, and Portishead's very own Beth Gibbons – just wait until you hear the track GMO on which she features; for two artists so different in their genres, you'll be wishing they work together way more often.

DOOM wrote and recorded the album while living in the UK and you can thank that for his use of cockney samples, British pop culture references and the grime vibe that snakes through the collection of tracks. The first track on the album to feature DOOM's vocals is a fine example of this, particularly considering its title, Guv'nor. Borin' Convo also has a dope lo-fi grime vibe to it that really stands out and the track Dawg Friendly is just rad, plain and simple. Key To The Kuffs is a fresh and consistent listen that is definitely worth gettin' locked up with.