K-OS

On his third album, K-OS balances his personal optimism with deep-rooted cynicism about the society he lives in. On the opening track, he wants to "move every b-boy like Coretta Scott," but that desire is tempered by an admission that he's "casting stones from afar." The boppy "Flypaper,"meanwhile, finds the Canadian rapper "afraid of being afraid." Musically, the album is a fusion of classic breakbeat hip-hop and ancient pop, with "Equalizer" copping the groove from "Jailhouse Rock." The accessibility of the music provides a needed levity to the more difficult thematic elements.

The third disc from this Toronto MC-crooner-producer is as warm and expansive a hip-hop
record as you'll hear all year: bright, big-beat rap with twists such as the discoish "Black
Ice" and the very pretty "Valhalla," which features Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene.
Only a few cuts really stick: K-OS has the big ears but lacks the deep focus, which gives
Atlantis a grab-bag feel. But keep an eye on him.