Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons...

You've most likely been told, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." But on Atmosphere's new record, the Minneapolis indie-rap veterans advise: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That S*** Gold. The album title is an optimistic one, and on their 6th studio album, rapper Slug and DJ/producer Ant take their own advice, combining dark themes with exuberant production for a listen that's alternately tart and sweet.

Lemons is a departure of sorts for both members of Atmosphere. Slug, whose introspective, lovelorn rants on previous albums have made him an honorary member of the emo club, steps aside from his usual role as compulsive autobiographer and instead tells stories of parenthood, drug abuse and bad relationships through the eyes of various characters rather than his own. Producer Ant gives his usual sampled beats a rest on many tracks, and instead employs Atmosphere's live touring band throughout the album for a rhythmic funk that hasn't been heard on their previous studio recordings. Overall, Lemons is a softer, quieter album that stands in stark contrast to the booming beats and in-your-face flow of previous records, yielding alternately haunting and fierce results.