Aesop Rock seems to be the rare artist who gets better with age. I enjoyed his early work with Blockhead, but it felt like things started to take off when he took over self-production, steadily growing and hitting what felt like peak when Spirit World Field Guide came out in 2020 (followed by Garbology in ’21). Luckily for all of us, he’s maintaining his trajectory with Integrated Tech Solutions. For those who don’t know his work, all call it spit-fire indie hip-hop that’s equally grounded in urban streetscapes, fine art, and dissonance. Earlier I mentioned production, which is always the key in this genre, but on Integrated Tech Solutions the beats and moods are perfectly paired. Most of the time its bass-heavy and jarring, like living in the shadow of a dense city. But at other times it’s chaotic and even playful to fit the tone of the song.
This record has 18 tracks in total and it covers a wide range of sound. It’s bookended with thematic elements of Corporate America, but it doesn’t limit itself to that theme exclusively. You get tongue twisting listmaker lyrics in “Mindful Solutionism” and “Time Moves Differently Here,” blended with character study storytelling in “100 Feet Tall” and “Aggressive Steven,” and art-focused tracks such as “Pigeonometry” and “On Failure.” When it needs to change directions, big bone ratline bass drops hit the tone, kicking off “Mindful Solutionism” and, later, aiming even bigger with “All City Nerve Map.”
There’s a lot going on with this record. If I have a complaint, it’s that I find it a hair too long. Cutting 2-3 songs and 10-15 minutes would flow better for me as a listener. But it generally flows well. The guest spots give nice dimension and I especially like how Hanni El Khatib contrast’s with Aesop’s style in “Kyanite Toothpick.” And the balance between personal stories, family background, and corporate America combines to tell a tale of finding our place in a nameless, faceless world. Set to gritty yet captivating beats, it’s a grounded response to the more ethereal Spirit World Field Guide.
