Despite its title, Talib Kweli's latest Gutter Rainbows is less "inner city" than "Sunday drive through the country with the top down." The weather is mild, and the shining sun has got him in the mood to reflect on his blessings and career highlights. A digital-only release in America, the work contains predictable affirmations of Kweli's old-school-style supremacy, as well as digs at the mainstream, southern rap sound. (Some of which are supplied by Ed Lover, who acts as the album's comic relief and decries "doodoo ass, bonehead, fucking SquareHead, SpongeBob" MCs.)

But Kweli is not self-righteous or angry, content instead to reminisce and be nostalgic. "Mr. International" runs down the hectic life of a jetsetter — "Meet Mr. International/ On the runways more than a fashion show/ It's all love like McEnroe/ But sorry I have to go" — while "Friends & Family" shouts out his memorable collaborators over the years: "I got classics with Hi-Tek and Mos Def/ That are so respected." Fittingly, the production here, courtesy of S1, E. Jones, 88-Keys and others, is jaunty but understated, a boom bap-lite sound perfect for a spring cleaning. "I'm still flirtin' with death/ Although I'm still certain about my commitment… read more »