Atmosphere

Atmosphere may be a hip-hop group, but its DIY style encompasses endless touring in a van, playing in grimy clubs, self-releasing (and self-marketing) records like 2011’s The Family Sign. The Twin Cities duo’s dynamic sound reflects this, with DJ Ant forsaking Casiotone beats and cartoonish gangsta themes for piano-heavy ballads and samples that evoke vintage soul, and rapper Slug spitting lyrics that hew closer to a Jim Carroll short story. Their latest is best when it’s sad, minimal, and instrument-driven. Near the end of the record, there’s the taut, pretty “Something So,” a heartfelt look back at that rarest of careers that’s allowed the artists to discover humility along the way. 

Updated 02/08/2012