Planet in Bloomington, MN

Planet
,
Tech N9ne
's 20th overall album (and 12th solo effort), landed in early 2018 after a pair of 2017
Collabos
releases,
Dominion
and
Strange Reign
. Following 2016's
The Storm
followed the loose concept of a new world created by
Tech
, who, sick of Earth's hate and violence, created his own planet where love reigns supreme. That planet, "P.Y.U.N.E." ("Peaceful Youth Unit Neutralizing Earth"), even came with its own lingo dubbed Pyuneguistics, with terms peppered throughout the album's lyrics. The concept doesn't weigh down
remains as aggressive and confrontational as ever, especially on "Habanero," "Bad JuJu," and "Fresh Out!" His lightning-speed flow is tight and effective, zipping from epic menace on the choir-and-orchestra-backed "Brightfall" to beautifully soulful on "Never Stray." The standout single "Tech N9ne (Don't Nobody Want None)" is perhaps the most fun
's ever had on record, a popping dance track that rides a sample of
Hashim
's 1983 classic "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" and is buffeted by the turntable scratching of
Spinstyles
and the robotic vocoder provided by producer
Michael "Seven" Summers
.
Strange Music
family members and familiar faces also join
on his new world, including pop vocalist
Mackenzie Nicole
; rappers
Snow tha Product
Krizz Kaliko
, and
Machine Gun Kelly
; and R&B singer
Nave Monjo
. Even when taking steps in new directions,
is still a master of intense and overwrought hardcore rap, even after 20 years and as many albums.
adds an interesting concept to his usual mix and features enough highlights to keep the faithful sated until his inevitable 21st statement. ~ Neil Z. Yeung