Not too long ago, El-P stepped aside as CEO of Definitve Jux to concentrate on making music. In his first major release since that announcement, we are treated to an all instrumental mix from one of hip hop’s premier beat makers.

The album won’t knock you over the head the way I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead did, but I don’t believe it is supposed to. It still contains a pervasive dark overtone, as much of his work does. In making this an instrumental work, he is given more room to let subtle ideas grow and meander, which results in music that isn’t quite as harsh as he usually makes it. It also allows him to mix iinfluences that might not be as obvious to casual listeners, such as house music or R&B.

Don’t think that El-P has softened up and written songs about rainbows, though. With song titles like “Drunk With a Loaded Pistol,” or “He Hit Her So She Left,” El-P has problems with society he expresses through music. El-P was recently asked why his music is so dark. He replied, “It’s dark out there.”

As an instrumental mix, this isn’t much for a collection of singles. Instead, it works best as one long track that the listener can get lost in. I often found myself glancing down and being surprised that I already listened to the entire album. This isn’t going to be a landmark El-P album, but it is a stellar collection of interesting instrumental hip hop that continues to push the listener’s boundaries.