This is the 11th studio LP from the South Bay Area, Northern California emcee Roughneck Jihad. A member of the trio 3rd Sight, he has built a prolific career, dropping his last 10 full-lengths along with 10 extended plays and a mixtape over the past decade. His most notable work remains his 2nd EP, The Little Assassination Handbook, produced by Brussels-based producer Senz Beats under Boot Records. Following the mixed reception of the 2023 sequel Lobespierre, the duo has returned to the Manchester, England-based indie label for the trilogy’s final chapter, Methanol.

The album opens with “Great Like Gonzo,” which hops over a psychedelic boom-bap intro featuring a fuzzy guitar sample, setting a tone of guarded intensity. Tracks like “PCP Flow” offer a shimmery, dusty instrumental backdrop that perfectly complements the emcee’s sharp cadence. “Tongue Toast” leans into a jazzier aesthetic, while “Circle of Life” utilizes piano-driven production to underscore a warning to those who might underestimate him.

As the album progresses, “Magnetar” finds Roughneck Jihad delivering aggressive, confident bars, while “Life in the City” provides a grounded perspective on metropolitan existence. The second half of Methanol kicks off with “New Eugenics,” a bloodthirsty boom-bap cut, followed by the horn-heavy “Barbarella.” The project concludes with “Doo Doo,” “Methanal Flame,” and “Rap in Québéc,” before the outro “Your Favorite” brings the record to a close with a signature Bay Area flair.

Both artists have been active for nearly three decades, and Methanol stands as a testament to their enduring creative partnership. It is arguably the most enjoyable collection of material from the emcee since he first signed with Boot Records five years ago. Rather than attempting a radical reinvention, the duo has successfully distilled their chemistry, further cementing the Disgruntled Sound Recordings founder’s status as one of the West Coast’s most underrated lyricists.

Score: 8/10