After making a name for himself producing for some of the biggest names in ‰underground‰’ hip-hop, such as Joey Badass, Talib Kweli, and and Curren$y, Lee Bannon could have easily just become another boom-bap producer with a secret penchant for more aggressive music. Instead, on his proper full length debut, Lee Bannon does a complete reversal of expectations, diving headfirst into the furious sounds of breakbeat and rave, producing an album that‰’s simultaneously furious, hyperactive, and atmospheric all at once. The songs here are defined by their high tempos, in your face vocal samples, and uncompromising breakbeat drums, all clearly inspired by 90‰’s electronic trends. However, what sets Bannon apart from his peers is his sense of atmosphere. Many of the songs here change wildly throughout their runtimes, becoming soundscapes just as quickly as they became drum and bass tracks. It‰’s an engaging approach that usually works, though a few of the tracks are simply not engaging enough to justify their long run times. Still, when Bannon‰’s music hits, it hits hard and aims to take no prisoners. This is a fine debut from an artist inspired very deeply by a style not typically heard in today‰’s electronic music environment, and bodes well for the future of this new talent.

RIYL: The Prodigy, Death Grips, DJ Rashad, Actress
Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 7, 11