Konejo is a producer from Paris who is has only started releasing music in the past three years, but he’s been working at a prolific pace since then, with all sorts of different projects to his name. Just this past December, we were given a two-volume set of remixes called The Moodygoer. Now he’s back with a different look, a project called Music to Kook By.

For this project, Konejo is drawing upon the idea of a food traveler’s trip, and then interpreting that through a series of short, abstract beats that are meant to be listened to straight through. Konejo is drawing from a lot of different sources, from classical to novelty to experimental to soul, making his own unique musical gumbo in the process. It’s an album with a lot of twists and turns, but as you stick with the album, the pieces are always going to come together and turn into something compelling. Food isn’t the most unique theme for an instrumental hip hop album, but if you can do it well and bring a unique perspective to it, then it doesn’t really matter. Konejo brings a real adventurous attitude to what hip hop can be, and what can be sampled, and the way he ties everything together gives you the impression that he’s been at this a lot longer than he has. It’s challenging, but it’s fun to listen to, and it grows on you with each listen.

Music to Kook By is a nice step forward for a producer in Konejo who has been working really hard for the past couple of years. It’s ambitious, creative, unusual, and very enjoyable. He’s able to move all of these musical ideas around and put them in conversation with each other in a way that is very compelling on this album.