Henry Canyons is a Los Angeles emcee who has been putting out music for a few years now. The last time we heard from him was just this January, when he released an EP recorded in France, Le Cote West. Now he comes right back with a full-length album, Cool Side of the Pillow.

One of the first things that hit me about this album is just how effortless it sounds. The funny thing is that this usually means it’s the result of a lot of hard work, but it’s also indicative of reaching a certain comfort level with your music. One reason that Canyons sounds comfortable on this album is that he’s working with his longtime collaborator, producer Matt “Bones” Bowen, from Brooklyn. Bowen is able to cook up some beats that go from laidback and soulful to some absolutely bangers, all while pushing things just a few steps left of center. That could be by pushing a clarinet sample to the forefront, or picking an unusual upright bass line that plays against the melody in unexpected ways, but he’s always able to find just that right balance between weird beats that make you lean in and pay close attention to what he’s doing, and beats that you can just crank up and dance to. On the mic, Canyons has never sounded better, with a really smooth flow and a raspy voice that works perfectly as he works his way through some narrative tales, wry observations, and some witty and sarcastic punchlines. Along the way, we get guest spots from Zoe Rose Palladino, Homeboy Sandman, billy woods, and Googie, who all add just the right amount of flavor to the album, and all sound like they’re having fun doing it. It all comes together to make an album that flows well from start to finish and is just a ton of fun to listen to.

As the weather warms up this year, Cool Side of the Pillow is going to sound great on some hot summer nights. Canyons and Bowen have tremendous chemistry together, and they’ve come together to make some great hip hop that is entertaining as can be.