Megadef
It’s been over four years since L.A.’s ultra-modern duo Styles of Beyond shook rap’s subterranean sect with overloaded BPMs and stylish, hasty couplets. After disbanding and reforming, their second effort triumphs thanks to more accessible pacing and polished beatwork from the combo of Vin Skully and DJ Cheapshot. The notable producers relentlessly loop electric guitar riffs from the title track’s straightforward strums to heavily distorted axes penetrating "Be Your Dog." Known for lightning quick cuts, the precision crew rolls slow on "Pay Me," decrying how shiesty promoters anticipate free gigs. Glossy basslines populate another standout, "You Lose," where rhymers Tak and Ryu trade language with panache. Rocking retro, "Euro Arobics" delights with a deft resuscitation of electro-rap. With a revamped approach and sustained poetic passion, the crew’s undoubtedly still slammin’. Ryu succinctly describes their current state on "Live Enough (remix)": "We changed for the better and got back together."Craig Smith--From URB Magazine