There aren’t many artists that can have a nine year gap between albums and still remain relevant but Bilal has done just that. In fact, with each guest appearance and live performance, the anticipation for this release grew at a rapid rate. Finally with “Airtight’s Revenge”, Bilal delivers an eclectic project that merely scratches the surface of his unique talents yet still provides definite satisfaction. Right from the start we’re treated to the twisted funky grooves of “Cake and eat it too” where he unleashes many layers of his infectious voice. “Move On” is another funky experimental highlight that laments on the heart break of a lost love. “Robots” is laden with slick grooves and wicked electric guitar licks. It also provides some social commentary on the political machine that exists how it affects the common man while the rich get richer. The disc wraps up with the acoustic flavored “Think It Over”, a warm and heartfelt ballad. Bilal isn’t content with going with the flow but instead seeks to push the boundaries of his musical landscape. This is a welcome return and hopefully there’ll be much more to follow.
