Released as something to tide fans over until the next official album, this tour-only double EP contains twelve new tracks. The nice thing about this release is that they made the stakes so low with the presentation - it feels like every song you enjoy is a bonus. Atmosphere can get away with this because they’ve been around for a long time and have built up a devoted fan base, which they accomplished by constantly touring and churning out hip hop that’s interesting and challenging but still accessible.

The EPs don’t start off with their best material. The first two tracks lack any kind of hook that stays in your head and the music sounds a little forced. Not to worry though, the songs soon start coming together.

“Scalp,” is quickly becoming one of my favorite Atmosphere songs. Slug paints a vivid picture of running into a friend in a bar who talks him into abetting him in some less-than-legal business. Ant’s beat is perfect for the song. A piano and guitar trade jazz/R&B licks while an urgent conga beat pulses underneath a laid back kick drum and high hat. It creates a surface atmosphere of a laid back groove, while undercutting it with a tension that highlights the storyline of the song.

This song is followed up by “The Best Day,” a great working-class anthem with a chorus that will surely be a fan favorite at their concerts. “The Loser” is another potential classic, this time Slug rhymes about making decisions over personal relationships. I imagine there will be a musical catharsis happening at their concerts with this one.

“The Number None” showcases more good story telling by Slug, this time taking us through the tale of young love gone astray. Ant once again matches the music well, this time with an old school soul riff on piano and guitar while we listen to a tale of young love gone astray. The closing song, “To All My Friends” finds Slug thankful and introspective as he reflects on how grateful he is that he gets to make music for a living. Ant provides some simple guitar work that lets the message resonate.

There are songs that don’t work as well, but nothing so bad that I cringe or wonder what they were thinking. There are a few songs that try to tackle politics which come across heavy handed, but most artists struggle with that balance. There are also a few decent battle raps, but none that stand out. If I wanted to tighten the release, I would cut the songs in half and I’d have a really good EP. I can’t really fault Atmosphere for releasing all the songs, since it works more often than not. Atmosphere makes music for both their fans and themselves, and they usually strike a balance that pleases everybody. For that I applaud them.