7/10

There’s something instantly gripping about Atlanta’s The Black Plague Doctors, and on their newest EP 'EFF.SEE.DEE.IYEE', they throw you straight into their world; somewhere rough-edged, instinctive, and bursting with creative energy.

From the first moments, the beats stumble and sway with purpose, basslines hum with a gritty warmth, and layers of sound drift in and out like fragments caught mid-creation. It’s a sound that thrives on looseness, recalling the off-kilter brilliance of J Dilla while tapping into the expansive, boundary-pushing spirit of Flying Lotus, all filtered through the duo’s own DIY lens.

You can feel the spontaneity in every track, particularly on highlights like 'This is Cooking' and 'Relativity', where ideas seem to collide and settle into place in real time. Even 'Dr. Curt Conners', which opens the EP, feels like stepping into an ongoing jam session; offering an experience that is still mid-thought, mid-vibe, and entirely unfiltered.

Built using hardware and recorded straight to an 8-track, the EP rejects the safety net of digital polish. Here, every imperfection is left intact, giving the music a tangible sense of presence. It’s messy in the best way and refreshingly unconcerned with perfection.

What began as an instrumental exploration gradually gives way to vocal elements that emerge almost by accident. When they do appear, they feel woven into the fabric of the music rather than layered on top, adding another dimension without disrupting the flow.

Ultimately, 'EFF.SEE.DEE.IYEE' captures that rare moment where creativity just happens. Throughout this collection, The Black Plague Doctors are pushing deeper into the raw core of what makes their music resonate. It’s unpredictable, unpolished, and completely absorbing, and that’s exactly why it works.