After giving the rap world so little for so long, recent times have seen the West Coast of America hit a rich vein, producing a slew of super dope MCs including Kendrick Lamar and his Black Hippy crew. Lamar's first album, 2011's Section.80, established him as the West's most exciting prospect since 2Pac, his blend of forward-thinking flows and beats meshing with the traditions of his fabled hometown, Compton. So great was Section.80's impact, Lamar's follow-up has not only arrived on a major label but has been overseen by the indomitable Dr Dre; and while these developments could have compromised his vision, instead they've propelled Lamar to greater creative heights. Chronicling 48 hours in the life of a young Compton City G, good kid, m.A.A.d city follows Lamar as youthful exuberance leads him into trouble. He unleashes the brilliantly odd Backseat Freestyle before being coerced into a burglary. Proceedings become hardcore, our hero catching an early '90s-style beatdown from some local gangbangers and L.A. legend MC Eiht. Revenge is sought and a resultant shootout claims one of the crew, sending Lamar into a spiral of introspection, frustration and recognition of his own mortality on the twelve minute epic Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst. Yet, with the counsel of the church and his (surprisingly) wise and loving family, Lamar finds, if not salvation, a pathway out of the cycle of violence, heralded by the final, monstrous, Dre and Just Blaze-assisted celebration of his city and his survival. It's questionable if hip hop narratives have ever been delivered with such depth, intelligence, musicality, and variety. Compton's new jack genius claims album of the year, for the second year running.