ProbCause is an emcee out of Chicago who’s been putting out some great hip hop for a few years now. The last time we got an official release from him was back in 2015, when he released the excellent album, Drifters. Now he’s back with a surprise EP at the end of the year called Distractions.

As Distractions opens with the title track, you’ll immediately be hit by the energy and charisma that ProbCause is known for, as he teams up with Lembo to deliver some really infectious disco/pop/hip hop. As the EP continues, we get some great production from Lembo, The Belief Cycle, Cobrayama, Griz, and Drew Mantia that will sound amazing coming through your speakers as we run the gamut of influence from disco to drill, juke to boom bap, and everything in between. Lyrically, ProbCause gives us just as complete performance, moving from party raps to heartfelt romantic rhymes to some really thought-provoking political rhymes. “All On Me” delivers one of my favorite flirtatious and respectful lines of the year when ProbCause declares “Imma back you up, like a harmony!” The real standout track of the EP, though, is “White Lies.” Featuring some spare production that leans on a funky bass riff and crisp hi hats, it gives plenty of room for ProbCause’s lyrics to land, and they’re a doozy. Essentially, the entire song is a list of lies that white men tell themselves to let themselves off the hook and blame others for their problems. He actually began writing the song a few years back, but things have become so heightened right now, it feels like the perfect time to drop this. If you’re a white male, it’s a good idea to listen to this song carefully and see if you catch any lies you’ve told yourself recently, then take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself how you can make things better.

ProbCause has been one of the strong voices in Chicago hip hop in the 2010s, and Distractions marks some of his best work. It’s fun, entertaining, sweet, personal, political, and difficult all at once, with ProbCause’s distinct voice and vision guiding you through this compact and impactful listen.