Outkast - 'Idlewild' (RCA) Released 21/08/06

Outkast, one of the most consistent groups in Hip Hop release their anticipated new album, Idlewild, to accompany the forthcoming movie of the same name. Based around the 1930’s musical theme of the film the album again brings together the distinct differences of the duo of Andre 3000 and Big Boi to create a concept driven sound which will appeal to both the old school fans as well as the post Hey Ya crowd.

A group whose sound has evolved with the release of each new album, Outkast have played a pivotal role in the southern Hip Hop scene since their 1994 debut and are a perfect example of how Hip Hop can reach a wider audience while still staying true to its roots. First single ‘Mighty O’ kicks things off and sounds almost like a homage to their past, accompanied by a stabbing synth reminding the listener that this is definitely Outkast 06, and features the two rappers on a track together for the first time in 6 years following the double-solo album 'Speakerboxx/The Love Below'. From here on in the album is mainly made up of solo tracks from each artist, and while much is made of the rappers differences in style from each other they create a harmony and an overall sound which is cohesive and different to anything else around at the minute.

Andre 3000’s flamboyant persona is countered by Big Boi’s down to earth style but both rappers know how to hold a track together with the sort of tight flows which seem to be missing in most of today’s image obsessed US rap records. The more radio-friendly moments on the disc inevitably come from Andre with accompaniment from several vocalists, while purists will be waiting for the infectious flow of Big Boi to offer the bass rattling sound that has signified Outkast for over a decade.

It is very easy to pigeon hole Hip Hop into the subgenres within the sound but Outkast truly push the boundaries of the entire genre with each album and the coming together of many different influences to create an original piece of music is in evidence here, perhaps best summed up by the outro to the Snoop Dogg featuring Hollywood Divorce, “look at blues, rock, jazz, rap…by the time they reach Hollywood it’s over. But it’s cool, we just keep it going and make new shit.”

The only complaints we would have about the album is that it could flow as an entire piece better without quite so many skits, but this is perhaps a criticism which could be made of 90% of modern Hip Hop albums, and also, as purists, I would like to hear more uninterrupted moments from Big Boi.

In comparison to most modern American rap albums though 'Idlewild' is pure class.