With the release of Love (the) Ominous World, Blu & Exile have returned with an album that brilliantly builds on their soulful, reflective foundation with stunning musicality and sharp songwriting. Their shared history as one of hip-hop’s best duos continues to grow, especially as they venture into new territory while embracing and refining what made them special.

 

 

“This album is our most unique work to date,” Blu says. “We took a different approach with the direction, while still staying true to the culture our music has built with our fan base.” That direction is one that finds the two California natives crafting records that would sound right at home on the radio and hip-hop charts. Like “Suga & Butta,” for example, which features recent Def Jam signee Rae Khalil, and rising start Ahmad Anwar. Every element of the track is as sweet and smooth as its namesake, from the lyrics to the production. There’s also the raw G-funk banger “Chucks,” a snarling collaboration with West Coast stalwarts KXNG Crooked and Kurupt.

Love (the) Ominous World is equally as potent when Blu & Exile find their groove venturing into other territory as well.

“Suge Knight,” which Ex talked his collaborator into recording, is a thrilling retelling of Blu’s meeting with the infamous co-founder of Death Row Records. On “Undisputed,” the duo showcases their respective talents as Blu blacks out over Ex’s scratches and beat-switching production. And of course, there’s the album’s lead single, the jaw-dropping “Love Is Blu” with longtime collaborator Aloe Blacc. For Blu & Ex, hearing the final version of this was a moment.

“It was the feeling you imagine you’d want to feel after working so hard on something, to make it all worth it, at least for just that moment,” Exile says. “But that’s all we needed to feel, to know we were done.”

Love (the) Ominous World is a defining moment for Blu & Exile, who are eager to share it with both their longtime fanbase, as well as those just catching onto their celebrated discography.