Slinging “glorious slang” over stark beats that spotlight the Wu-Tang vet's frigid flows, GZA's fifth full-length continues to sharpen the shatterproof wordplay first introduced on “Words From the Genius.” A number of songs like “Path of Destruction” illustrate the struggle of the streets. And “Short Race” unfurls like a season of “The Wire” with GZA detailing scenes that involve hidden track marks, juveniles facing life, ducked court dates and cribs sold for bail.

DOWNLOAD THIS: “Paper Plate”

– JAKE O'CONNELL