★★★★☆

De La Soul, pioneers of alternative ’90s hip hop, have escaped the creative chains of record labels, shrugged off previous sampling battles and delivered a 17-track, genre-fusing original.

Described by Nas himself as “avant-garde”, And The Anonymous Nobody… laces sounds from decades past with the modern day hip hop voices. The result is a journey through rhyme infused with a diverse collection of styles, from De La’s usual ‘jazz rap’ to funk, soul, rock and R&B.

Made possible by crowdfunding, the album blurs independent and mainstream lines. In some ways it resembles the estranged, more eclectically dressed cousin of the band’s 1989 debut 3 Feet High And Rising. Yet despite the connection between the albums, Anonymous Nobody stands on its feet, proving to be a powerful work in its own right.

From a monologue by Jill Scott, to ’60s gospel soul mixed with Snoop Dogg, De La truly bring it all – and more – with this record. Appearances by Damon Albarn and Little Dragon only add to the colossal lineup of features.

When, towards the end of the album, De La Soul say, “Music means everything to us”, you better believe it.

All in all, And The Anonymous Nobody is a seriously welcomed breath of fresh air.

And The Anonymous Nobody… byDe La Soulis out now on Rough Trade.

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