12 Step Program

Since they first came out in the late '90s, People Under the Stairs (Double K and Thes One) have been consistently releasing exceptional true-school hip-hop, ignoring corny trends, fake-thug lyrics, and electronic flourishes while embracing breakbeats, dusty loops, real scratching, and good old-fashioned party raps. 12 Step Program is their ninth album; it's their first since 2000's Question in the Form of an Answer that has no live instruments, just 100% samples. As is their usual M.O., they drop smooth story-rhymes about their love of hip-hop, drinking and smoking, ladies, crate-digging, and California pride, with standout tracks like "LA Nights," the Super Mario Bros–sampling "1 Up Til Sun Up," and "Doctor Feelgood." While some artists get stuck in a rut doing the same thing over and over, with PUTS, that's exactly what fans hope for. As they say on "Roundabouts": "We're like Eric B's facial expression—never change." And that's most definitely a good thing.