Timbuktu is an artist from Toronto that has been putting out music for nearly two decades, whether it be as part of groups like Toolshed, Swamp Thing, Teenburger, Tongue Helmet, or Backburner, or as a solo artist. Just last year, he teamed up with British producer Ollie Teeba to release the album Million Pound Note. Now he’s back with a brand new solo album, It’s Alright in the Daylight.

It’s funny how with certain artists, even a solo album can turn into a posse album. In the case of Timbuktu, it certainly makes sense, since so much of his career has been about making fun music with his homies in different groups. He’s not the tortured artist holing up in a cabin for months to make his masterpiece all by himself. He likes to have fun with his friends and cut up and make pop culture references and talk shit over funky sample-based production. With that said, it comes as no surprise to look at the liner notes and see production from Danny Miles, Savilion, and Timbuktu, scratches from DJiRATE, and appearances on the mic from Savilion, Chokeules, Jesse Dangerously, Ghettosocks, Bazooka Joe, Aquakulture, More or Les, Nilla, Ambition, and Wordburglar. So while this is technically a solo album, it’s more like Timbuktu is the ringleader, throwing a hip hop house party with all of his friends he’s made over the years, and we’re invited to listen in. There are a few moments here and there were things might get a little personal or nostalgic, such as when Tim reflects on how the scene was built up through the $5 Rap Shows in Toronto on “5 Dollars,” but this is mostly an album to just sit back and enjoy the clever wordplay, endless shit talking, funky beats, and great chemistry between all of these friends and artists.

It’s Alright in the Daylight isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, it’s just trying to have a good time. The good news there is that few people can throw a party as fun as Timbuktu’s party. Just put this album on at your next (fully vaccinated) house party and let Tim and company do the rest of the work.