4eva Is A Mighty Long Time

The Mississippi MC’s ambitious third album is split between his stage persona and private life—the first half opens with “Big K.R.I.T.”; the second, “Justin Scott.” Fittingly, K.R.I.T.’s Southern rap purism is at its most personal here: “Price of Fame” explores the disconnect between success and true happiness. But the mood lifts on trunk-rattlers like the T.I.-featuring “Big Bank” and space-funk slow-burner “Aux Cord,” an homage to soul legends from Parliament to B.B. King.

Big K.R.I.T. is at the top of his game on his new double album. It’s an even split between booming subwoofers and tough-guy talk on one side and a considerable vulnerability on the other.

Hardcore veterans Converge play to their strengths on The Dusk In Us, while Shamir’s Revelations is earnest and rewarding, if not as effervescent as Ratchet. These, plus Big K.R.I.T. and Sam Smith in the week’s notable new releases.

Acclaimed Mississippi MC and producer Big K.R.I.T. has called his new LP 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time, and it's appropriate; this is a huge, 2...