Warning: Moderate impact coarse language and/or themes.

Long Story Short opens with"Generation Y," a politically drivenode to the power of those whosedays as the underdog are numbered.An anthemic opening numberpowered by M-Phazes' productionwork. And these are not plain beatscoupled with lyrics complex fortheir own sake, but rather some ofthe best produced hip-hop beats inthe country, with lyrics that, evenwhen simple in delivery, maintain acomplexity of message. From the rolling drums andsynthesizer-driven pop lean of"Pictures" to the booming bassand razor guitars of "Rock StarShit," there is a rare depth anddiversity to the textures of thealbum. There's the summerinspiredsing-a-along "Full Tank",an open road tribute to the freespirit of mateship and travelling,and there's the solemn turn inthe album's last-minute additionof "Our Country" (a salute to theAustralian spirit written days afterBlack Saturday).Illy enlists the help of fellowCrooked Eye crew member MPhazes(producer of Bliss n Eso'sFlying Colours) and JacksonJackson's J-Skub (Phrase'sClockwork) for the bulk of thealbum, with stellar contributionsfrom up and comers J-Squaredand Ta-Ku. The friendship extendsto the album's guest performers,boasting collaborations with Pegz("Black Cap Rap"), Spit Syndicateand Solo ("Red Light/Green Light")and Phrase and N'Fa ("For You").It is a compelling collection thatembodies the spirit and scope ofAustralian hip hop, the openingchapter of a promising fable.