Subtle, 'ExitingARM' (Lex)
What in the hell does ExitingARM mean?
Kidz in the Hall, 'The In Crowd' (Duck Down)
This Chicago duo, who met as undergrads at the University of Pennsylvania, hearken back to the preppy, '80s hip-hop of Leaders of the New School and Kwam é.
M83, 'Saturdays = Youth' (Mute)
French electronic producer Anthony Gonzalez has always teetered between technological brilliance and oversynthesized pomposity. But his fourth album finally tips the balance, as it replicates the pimply, overwrought teen steam of John Hughes flicks and Tangerine Dream soundtracks.
Guilty Simpson, 'Ode to the Ghetto' (Stones Throw)
Guilty Simpson is the most recent Detroit bully blessed by the late J Dilla. The producer contributed a few tracks to Ode to the Ghetto, Guilty's coming out party, along with Madlib, D12's Denaun Porter, Black Milk, and other backpack thugs. The overall sound is impressively bleak, typified by hard, stomping bass drums.
Beans, 'Thorns' (Adored and Exploited)
Shape of Broad Minds, 'Craft of the Lost Art' (Lex)
Craft of the Lost Art is essentially a showcase for the formidable talents of Philly-based producer Jneiro Jarel. Layering handclaps over a whirling dervish of guitars on "OPR8R" and pumping out squelchy glitch-funk for "Lullabanger," he blends hip-hop and electronics with a fresh style reminiscent of Madlib and J Dilla at their abstract best.

