Whether he's working with (and singing over) sparse, icy electronic beats or more lush, Radiohead-esque alt-rock, this MC's signature spoken-word style is contemplative and wistful, less traditional rap than constantly unwinding poetry. He spins tales of loss and worry, grasping and desire, the universal need to feel wanted and the crushing reality of poverty. His sonic world is bleak but hopeful and resolutely human, comforting in its recognition of the everyday struggles that so many face. He takes those average stories and etches them into beautiful portraits.