Skelethon (Deluxe Version)

Without a doubt one of the game's most jocked and influential underground emcees, Aesop Rock has a hugely passionate, global fanbase that hangs on his every word. Known for his raspy, almost Tom Waits–esque delivery, hyper-intricate lyricism, and overtly nontraditional flow, he is (along with Atmosphere, El-P, anticon, Sage Francis, et al.) at least partly responsible for the legions of awkward-sounding white emo rappers roaming the Internet. Skelethon is his sixth full album, and his first since 2007's None Shall Pass. It's also the first time he's produced every song, and he flexes his appropriately chaotic and cacophonous beat style over the course of 15 tracks. Guest features are limited (just Kimya Dawson of The Moldy Peaches on "Crows 1"), letting Aesop fully do his thing, delivering vivid and twisted narratives that bounce between dark and goofy, lighthearted and deadly serious. If you're looking for danceable club jams with Auto-Tune hooks, keep moving; but if you're already an Aes disciple, you're gonna LOVE this.