Latest album from eclectic artist.
After becoming established as a hip-hop maestro thanks to his 2002 debut album 'Dead Ringer', followed by the acclaimed follow up 'Since We Last Spoke' in 2004, RJD2 is back with a new album and a new label. 'The Third Hand', his first on XL Recordings is being touted as a "cohesive pop album"; it seeks to smash previous monikers and descriptions in favour of creating something fresh that refines his ever evolving style.
Opening with the instrumental track imaginatively titled 'Intro', the album eases its way into your ears, and follows up with 'You Never Had it So Good', a song with an electronica meets retro sound met with European sounding vocals from the Philadelphian. So far, so pleasant, but not really striving to leap beyond the boundaries of its genre. 'Have Mercy' is another step in the direction of retro with its heavily laden funk sound, a song the perfect fit for a 1970s themed disco event.
Across its 15 tracks 'The Third Hand' models a variety of hats within the electronic field, and most of them succeed smoothly and highlight RJD2's musical accomplishment, particularly considering this album was recorded in his own basement studio. Many of the songs here are laidback, effortless listening which would be suitable background music for a chilling session, but fail to be quickly memorable or essential listening. Perhaps once RJD2 does less experimenting and more honing of his talents he will make truly remarkable music, but at the moment that just isn't the case.