Molina

Name & Town, Molina’s collaboration with New Mexico’s Diles, is like a rhythmic trip through a psychedelic desert. The track “Meditation,” for example, almost floats out to you with tribal-flute harmonies mixed in with hip-hop beats, eloquent DJ cuts and the deep, warm voice of Molina. As far as features go, Venus Cruz gives a standout vocal performance on “Again,” maintaining a steady, soulful hook, while Molina spits lyrics that are personal and reflective. Molina employs ManeRok for the jazz-infused title track, in which Diles’s production takes center stage; the song is a defiant ode to Denver hip-hop from an insider’s perspective. Molina’s flow could use some diversity, but the chemistry between the MC and the producer combined with the rapper’s embodiment of hip-hop ultimately shines through.