Subtle

ExitingARM

[3.5/5]

Subtle are quite possibly the weirdest group in hip-hop. The Oakland, California, sextet’s first two albums mangled rap with prog-rock and electronica into a melodic chaos that often confused audiences. However, it seems that collaborating with TV On The Radio and Beck (plus a recent tour with Minus The Bear) has rubbed off on the group. For the first time, the term “accessible” fits when describing a Subtle record–who would have thought? Of course, those who adore the band’s strange tendencies need not be scared: ExitingARM is still pretty kooky. The difference comes in the structure–the same weird sounds are now placed in a more digestible manner. The other major change-up is Doseone’s vocals. In many of the songs he abandons rhyming for singing, something he should use more often–it almost overshadows his rap skills. ExitingARM is another step forward in the brilliant career of a group who are unafraid to switch it up. (LEX) Eddie Fleisher

ROCKS LIKE

Of Montreal’s Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

TV On The Radio’s Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes

Why?’s Elephant Eyelash