Def Jux is the label responsible for two of last year's hottest releases, Labor Days and The Cold Vein. Now after kicking the door down, they're about to bum rush the party and bogart the mic until there's not a head left who can deny their dominance. Enter Definitve Jux Presents II, a sampler showcasing the talents of all their artists to prime the masses for the sonic insanity they intend to drop in the near future.
All kinds of creatures roam Def Jux's foreboding yet fascinating region of space--their self-proclaimed "Iron Galaxy"--and most can rhyme their ass off. Everybody's favorite author of parables Aesop Rock shows up with "Dead Pan" to demonstrate why he's reached superhero status amongst those who care to listen. Another undeniable talent who is sure to get even more noise soon is Mr. Life, who teams up with Murs over what might be the album's hypest beat on "Sneak Preview." Shouts must be given to Murs who starts the track by claiming, "Now my album will manifest something between the new Harry Potter book and Monster Cody's autobiography." (Read the book Monster if you ever get a chance). This interplanetary romp ends with a track from EL-P's debut solo Fantastic Damage set to drop shortly. Entitled "Stepfather Factory," the cut is a frighteningly poignant look at where automated technology might some day lead if we aren't careful.
Def Jux has crafted a style all its own which is at once both experimental and hard as hell. DJXP2 firmly cements their place atop the world of underground--even if they're still flying way below the radar.
--Chas Reynolds
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