After the release of In Case I Don’t Make It this spring and in anticipation of his new album later this fall, Has-Lo gives us this EP of older unreleased material to tide us over. As short as it is, it’s incredibly rewarding and varied. It gives a fairly complete portrait of the Philadelphia emcee/producer.

Where ICIDMI was an intimate and honest portrayal of a man struggling to deal with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Illegally Yours is decidedly more playful in tone. It opens with “How Do You Feel,” a warm, funky song with a sung “Lah Di Dah” hook that’s about falling in love. Already we’re having more fun with Lo. “Dedication” is more somber in mood, which reminds us “What you do in life echoes in eternity.” It moves at a slower tempo with a simple piano line that plays against a violin as Has-Lo relates the struggle to create music that’s going to stand the test of time. “Perfume Trail” is a sweet love song about the beginning of a relationship with a great use of sampling Wilson Picket’s “I’m In Love.”” “Loved by Asians” has Lo doing his best Slick Rick, painting a picture with a playful brag about his universal appeal. “Live to Write” is an aggressive song with Mic King about how important the writing process is to him.

While it’s not a long release, it accomplishes a lot in a small window of opportunity. I only learned of Has-Lo earlier this year, but with these two releases already under his belt this year, he’s quickly becoming a favorite.