Detroit’s Black Milk has been one of the most consistent artists of the 2010s, working as both emcee and producer. The last time we heard from him was in 2016, when released a live instrumental album, The Rebellion Sessions, with his band, Nat Turner. Now he’s back with a new solo studio album, FEVER.

When all is said and done, Black Milk will be one of the names we discuss when we talk about the great hip hop artists of the 2010s. His discography starting with Album of the Year in 2010, all the way through this new album, FEVER, are not only inventive and fun to listen to, but there has been a tremendous amount of growth over the years, as he’s tinkered with different styles of music and different flows and lyrical styles on the mic. With FEVER, we get what is his most subtle album to date. On previous albums, there were some obvious singles to lead the album, ones that would be the songs to raise the energy at live shows. With FEVER, it’s less about any one song, and more about the album as a whole. Using a mix of electronic programming and live musicians, a style he’s been perfecting this whole time, Black Milk is constructing a free-flowing album that falls back on jazz, R&B, and gospel. A large portion of the album is instrumental, and feels more like a jazz session, going from movement to movement, rather than from song to song. Black Milk does hop on the mic, but this is his most subdued performance as an emcee, not trying to craft any pop songs or rock the crowd the way he has on earlier projects. It’s more like he’s hopping on to tell short stories, whether they be personal tales, observations about his community, or some philosophical ponderings. It’s an album that is interesting at first, but only becomes more compelling the more time you spend with it. There’s so many little twists and turns and interesting musical conversations happening, you’ll catch something new each time through.

You might not know exactly what to expect with each Black Milk release, but you can bet on a couple of things. He’s not going to repeat himself, and he’s going to deliver some music that will challenge himself and his listeners. FEVER is no exception.