Lyfë

The rapping of LA-based MC Yeat rewards repeated listens. He’s got an accent of mysterious origin, his speech slurred and drawn out in a way that makes it hard to understand the whole of what he’s saying—which is probably the point. The production across *Lyfë*—the follow-up to the MC’s 29-song *2 Alivë (Geëk Pack)* and his second project of 2022—is at once cacophonous and future-leaning (the lion’s share coming courtesy of Working on Dying’s Bnyx). The themes are the same ones that permeate most of Yeat’s music to date—drugs, money, that ever-dependable Tonka truck. But what he’s buried deeper therein are explanations for titles like “Flawlëss” or “Wat it feel lykë.” It’s likely best not to think too hard about them; from the sounds of things, those who do have already gotten left behind. As the MC puts it on “Krank,” “You already know who I am, little bitch/I’m man of the year.”

Rage rap can be rote and exhausting, but in small doses—like on the Portland rapper’s new pared-down and hypnotic album—the style can be ridiculous fun, electrifying, and hyperreal.

Among other things, California rapper Yeat's sixth EP, ‘Lyfë,’ proves that sometimes less really is more. Read our review.