A veteran of California's left-field hip-hop circuit, Awol One has been putting out challenging and unique music since the mid-‘90s. Working as both a solo artist and as a member of the Shapeshifters, he's collaborated extensively with Daddy Kev and Fat Jack among others. On The Landmark, he reconnects with Canadian producer Factor (they had previously joined forces on 2007's Only Death Can Kill You, and 2009's Owl Hours) for another album full of melodramatic lyricism and against-the-grain beatwork. Comparable to artists like Buck65, Sage Francis, Atmosphere, and Aesop Rock, his raspy vocals and heavy subject matter are sure to alienate some listeners, though, as with his peers, those who dig his abstract style really dig it. Highlights here include "The Wasp" with Moka Only, ""Coming to Town," and "One Live Tape" featuring Abstract Rude.