Idiosyncrasy has long been one of Zelooperz’s core strengths, his uniqueness and versatility endearing him to discerning fans of slightly left-field hip-hop. This tends to free the Detroit native and Bruiser Brigade associate from following trends or buckling to industry pressures, ensuring that nearly every project he drops contains an exciting air of unpredictability. Primarily produced by Dilip, a repeat collaborator from the rapper’s prior albums (including Microphone Fiend and Van Gogh’s Left Ear), Dali Aint Dead comes off as one of his finest outings to date. Coming just months after his psychedelic joint release with Real Bad Man, this 16-song effort nudges him deeper into a surreal space, inspired by no less than a 20th century master of the artfully bizarre. “Mona Lisa Left Eye” and the time-warped “Hypnagogia” act as some of the more overt homages, as does the far-out “Shrooms.” His sonic journey touches on multiple musical forms, from the crunk-meets-juke rave-up “Lebanon James” and the sturdy trap of “Opposite Sex” to the eager R&B throwbacks “Bebe Kids” and “Describe.” Lyrically, he remains as mischievous as ever, reaching for melody and melodrama as situations shift.