The NYC native known as Homeboy Sandman began releasing music in 2007, and this is already his third album. Listening to him rhyme, I thought about emcees like Eyedea, Buck 65, or Sage Francis. This is partially because of his gruff, rapid-fire delivery, but also because of his smart, sarcastic lyrics.

However, I don’t want to paint Sandman into a corner. As I continue listening to this album, I better appreciate how he’s made his own style that still allows for variance. Apart from his smart alec persona, there’s also a warmth and playfulness to his lyrics that round out the music. I get the sense that Sandman can laugh at himself. Take a song like “Mean Mug.” It cuts through thug posturing as Sandman wonders why everyone around him looks so mean, then offers hugs.

But in case anyone wanted to write off Sandman as goofy, he follows that up with “The Essence,” a frantic, hard-hitting song about sorting through the current political climate. After that, we get a laid-back jazzy number in “Strange Planet” that channels Digable Planets. This leads to “Being Haved,” a fun, funky number with K.C. and the Sunshine Band samples about growing up in Queens. Each song adds something new to make the album an interesting and rewarding journey.

Sandman delivered an album that gives the listener many layers to unpack. Track after track, he switches things up and each one grabs my attention. I’ll be listening to it for a while, and I recommend you do too.