RJD2, More Is Than Isn’t

Reviewed by: Nate Adams

A decade into his career and RJD2 is still pushing himself. His latest, More is Than Isn’t, finds the producer weaving jazz and funk arrangements into his drum-heavy, hip-hop-minded production work.

Anchored by three suites that serve as bookends for the albums, More is plays heavily instrumental, much to its benefits. Cuts like “Got There, Sugar,” and “See You Leave” aren’t hurt by the presence of guest vocals, but it takes the focus away from RJD2’s productions, which are reliably interesting if not always immediately engaging.

It’s easy to see why commercials (to say nothing of “Mad Men”) come to RJ for their soundscapes. “A lot of Night Ahead of You” sounds like it could be in a hip van commercial, while “Winter Isn’t Coming” plays like the soundtrack to a heist movie that Guy Richie hasn’t made yet.

Equally interesting are tracks like “Behold, Numbers!” and “Her Majesty’s Social Request,” which show a level in drums not seen since DJ-Shadow.

Playing a bit more aggressively than past works succeeds on More is Than Isn’t, and while the album is best when it sticks to its bygone inspirations, the album is compelling throughout.

Rating: Listenable