7/10

When he first broke through with his mesmerising debut LP 'agriculture' near the end of last year, US rapper and producer Larando Suave established himself as one of the more inventive names emerging on the scene. With this progressive and captivating texture to his flow making light work of its vibrant production at every turn, he quickly made his mark as a true innovator on the rise. And with only a few months passed since then, he is back once again with his wondrous sophomore album 'The Foundation', a record that returns to that adventurous spirit he is earning a reputation for.

Much like its predecessor, 'The Foundation' looks to blend a heady mix of shimmering beats and ethereal tones throughout. With his slick yet passionate vocals keeping the pace moving forward amongst this electrifying atmosphere from start to finish, this twelve-track collection finds him in one of his more forward-thinking guises to date. Whether he is looking to lure us in with his compelling lyricism or offer up a more lively direction as it plays, Larando Suave always manages to find something new and interesting in which to explore, making for a wonderfully fresh and exciting listen throughout.

His tenure may have only just gotten underway, but 'The Foundation' showcases exactly why so many have been singing his praises lately. Moving with this smooth and subtle elegance from beginning to end, he remains one of the more explorative names rising through the ranks right now.