This album sounds like more of a celebration than a true Wu-Tang release.  By shedding weight (i.e. the other members of Wu that aren’t prolific rappers anymore) and basking in their recent successes (tracks from OBFCL2 and the insanely brilliant “Yolanda’s House” from Ghost’s The Big Doe Rehab), the three have made a lo-fi return to their old-school styles.  this sounds more like a throwback than a step forward, but that’s not necessarily a criticism. In fact, the franchise has needed a full reprisal for some time.  It’s clear, too, that that cannot come from RZA’s beats alone.

All three drop nasty verses, silly lines and overall non-mechanical flows.  They enjoy working together more than drifting apart, to be certain (yes, I know they recorded shit separately).  This aura shines through the most: the energy and swagger is different than a normal recording session.  Meth, Ghost and Rae have a fun and stirring chemistry that was missing on 8 Diagrams or solo albums.  It’s all of them for all of us, and I’m excited to hear it more.  Expect a full review within a week to ten days.  The album drops today.