It’s been five years since we last got a full-length album from nerdcore duo Dual Core, when they dropped the infectious All The Things. Now the wait is finally over as we get possibly their most substantial release to date, Downtime.

In the past five years, life had its ups and downs for emcee int eighty and producer c64, whether it be moving to different cities, dealing with day jobs, or personal relationships, but whenever the two had some downtime, they were staying in touch and making music here and there, and even playing shows. The resulting album marks something of a departure for Dual Core. The album lacks the pop anthems and nerdy fun of previous songs like “All The Things,” or “Natural 20s,” natural crowd pleasers and staples of their live shows. There is still plenty of great hip hop here, but Downtime marks a more introspective and overall serious album than fans might be used to. More space is given to c64’s ability as a producer, carrying the album with some melancholy instrumental beats for a few stretches, delving more into a downtempo and darker synth-driven style. Int eighty has always had room on previous albums to get serious, but not the extent that he does on Downtime. He really opens up about a range of subject matter, from his complicated relationship with hacking, to losing a friend, to just dealing with depression and other daily challenges. It’s not the Dual Core album that will get you pumped, but it is an album that you can really develop a deep relationship with over time, as you really soak in each song on your headphones.

Downtime is a bit of a risk for a group like Dual Core, especially after such a long wait, but I think the risk paid off. It’s a different album for them, to be sure, but that’s not a bad thing. This is a smart, emotional, and personal hip hop album that reflects a different point in their career.