This 2024 Roc Marciano and The Alchemist project may start off at a first glance disadvantage before enjoyers of their previous 2022 project, The Elephant Man’s Bones , even press play. I will admit I was guilty of that assumption. And sure, Roc Marciano flaunts his sabre-like pen through barrels of fine wine flows over the richest treasure chest of Alchemist gold you’ve ever heard. But I felt guilty already expecting them to attain this large bounty- a seemingly effortless display of beyond impressive Hip-Hop. Then, I discovered the “skeleton key" that the album title references in track 6, “Rauf”. Immediately, I felt a shift as the album transitioned to its B side. The production from The Alchemist felt slightly more experimental, grimier, dustier, but still glowing in a dark cave. Roc Marciano then proceeded to flawlessly spit a linguistic labyrinth, leveling-up in real time as if he just collected another infinity stone.

By the end of my initial listen, I realized that just because fans may already expect a familiar set of elite skills, it doesn’t mean we should discount celebrating them. These two on The Skeleton Key are 24-karat Hip-Hop gold.