Qwazaar first appeared on my radar earlier this year when a guest appearance on DJ Cosm’s Time and Space became the stand out track of the album. The emcee from Chicago crew Typical Cats displayed a mix of intelligent lyrics, unique delivery, and charisma on the mic that immediately grabbed my attention. When I heard that he had a new project in the works with producer Batsauce, I was interested. This nine song EP previewing the full length album to come gives quite an introduction to the duo’s sound.

Batsauce has been around for a while, producing for such emcees as Mr. Lif and Akrobatik. For this EP, he draws heavily on the sounds of garage and psychedelic rock from the ‘60s, with plenty of fuzzy, wah wah-ed and reverb-heavy guitars alongside horns and maracas and tambourines. He contrasts this with really crisp and sharp drums with heavy snare hits. It provides a nice compliment for Qwazaar’s rhymes, who has one of the more unique deliveries in hip hop. It’s a voice that at time hints at a southern drawl, and other times brings to mind Slick Rick’s British accent. He can move incredibly fast within lines and verses, but he can also drop simple hooks with a melodic delivery that will make the song stick in your head. His lyrics are incredibly smart and playful, and he’s constantly switching up his flow. Qwazaar likes to challenge his listeners to think for themselves and to constantly strive for a better life. This is apparent in songs like “Mind Murder” and “Rule,” which features a chorus with a group singing the line “I’m going to rule my own life.”

If this is the teaser EP for the full length album, I can only imagine the treat we’re in for. Batsauce and Qwazaar both prove themselves top-tier talents with this EP. I can only hope that this is the start of a new phase in both of their careers.