Atmosphere - Shoulda Known

For a decade and a half, Minneapolis hip-hop duo Atmosphere have released many a fine record and unbelievably shited a million units. As we wait for 'When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold', the follow-up to 2005's 'You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having' and last year's free 'Strictly Leakage' mixtape, we have the single 'Shoulda Known' to contend with.

'Shoulda Known' sees the pair tackling the subject of drug addiction. The whole song based around the narrative wordplay of Slug and the warbling, future-bass of Ant is like Requiem For A Dream in musical form, and at times, harks back to the early days of 90's G-Funk. "Shoulda Known better than to fuck with you" leads the chorus in the harrowing tale of substance abuse, showing a maturer angle of Atmosphere that may surprise some.

Going from strength to strength with each album, 'When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold' could be the most accomplished yet for the pair.