As one-half of rap pioneers OutKast, Big Boi has been consistently pushing hip-hop forward for two decades now. And with his partner-in-crime Andre 3000 currently awol, Andre Patton is continuing that mission with a flourishing solo career.
This is the follow-up to 2010's club-friendly Sir Lucious Left Foot, and is another dose of futuristic, boundary-pushing, occasionally head-scratching rap that this time heads for uncharted territory even further left-field than before.
That's thanks to guest spots from indie acts like Little Dragon (whose ghostly howl haunts Thom Pettie), Phantogram (who add shimmering electro flourishes to Objectum Sexuality and CPU), Theophilus London (the filthy booty-call ballad She Said OK) and Wavves, who provide a mid-album highlight courtesy of the summery rock hook on Shoes for Running. But it's Patton's energy, charisma and versatility that shine through, whether he's blowing T.I. and Ludacris away over the thrilling horn stabs of In the A, trading lines with current hype man AA$P Rocky on Lines, or partnering with Kid Cudi over She Hates Me's emotional spacey lope. It takes a few listens, but Vicious Lies is well worth your time. It may not be called OutKast, but Big Boi is still busy making hip-hop, Jim - just not as we know it.
Stars: 4/5
Verdict: Rapper stakes claim for indie crowd
Click here to buy Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors.
- TimeOut
