Ghostface Killahs

Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, his 13th album *Ghostface Killahs* dispenses with the pleasantries, spreading the grimy New York gospel. Ghost calls out softness and is quick to escalate matters (“Pistol Smoke”). Wu-Tang Clan brethren Cappadonna, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, and Masta Killa rekindle their connection on “Me Denny & Darryl,” “Burner to Burner,” and “Waffles & Ice Cream.” Ghostface’s firstborn Sun God appears on “Fly Everything” and “The Chase.” The latter track begins with a tasty “Scorpio” flip and then quickly hits downhill speed. When Ghost’s rhyming over vintage soul samples—see “Flex,” “Fly Everything,” “New World”—he’s in his element, painting vivid pictures of his flamboyant and violent lifestyle. As the rap landscape evolves, you won’t see the Wu figurehead rocking skinny jeans anytime soon (though we wish he would stop using homophobic slurs in 2019).

After a string of muted, experimental releases, Ghost strains to recapture some of the old Wu fire.

Ghostface Killahs is the Wu-Tang rapper's first true solo album in almost five years, following releases co-billed with the likes of Czarface and Big Ghost Ltd.