The South’s official hip-hop representatives, Big Boi and Andre 3000, step up with their fourth album, Stankonia - an album that’s been described by many as a “journey” or an “experience”, and for the most part, rightfully so. After delivering their definitive and classic sophomore release, ATLiens, and it’s arguable, presumed classic follow-up, Aquemini, the duo have a lot riding on album number four. With that in mind, and also considering a fanbase that’s as open-minded as the members themselves, they’ve have stepped it up another notch, as Stankonia reveals the next evolution of the organism that is Outkast.

While longtime collaborators Organized Noize oversee the production, Earthtone 3 takes the driver’s seat in constructing the album’s beats. While the lead single, “B.O.B.” seemingly transfuses energy into its audio form, the virtual insanity of the track shows us what could be hip-hop’s proverbial next level. It’s follow-up single, “Ms. Jackson” is the yin to “B.O.B.’s” yang; a slower-paced, yet especially thoughtful piece of futuristic funk, “dedicated to all the babies mama’s mamas”. While these two singles have clued listeners in as to what they should expect with this album, the truth of the matter is that while their style has evolved, as far as Dre and Daddy Fat Sacks are concerned, ain’t a damn thing changed.

Tracks like “So Fresh So Clean” and “Humble Mumble”, show Outkast in prime and classic form, as the Aquemini concept continues to materialize, with Big Boi as the careless player, and Andre as the voice of reason. Most of the album’s better tracks are usually the ones that have a message behind them, whether it’s the hardcore revolutionist attitudes of “Gasoline Dreams”, or simply the cat & mouse games of “I’ll Call Before I Come”. Album closers “Slum Beautiful” and “Stankonia (Stanklove)”, slow it way down, (much like the last album’s “SpottieOttieDopalicious”), taking the listener on a musical high, perfect for relaxing and watching them ceiling fans go ’round.

The album does have a few missteps, a few haphazard tracks of the ignorant variety. “Snappin’ and Trappin’”, which employs the less-than-stellar rhyme skills of Killer Mike is passable, as well as the Doc Dre-ish “We Luv Deez Hoes” and the bouncy “Gangsta Shit”, which also seem to take the spotlight off Andre and Big Boi, each hindered by heavy guest appearances.

But it’s clear that the guests are more to blame for these “mistakes”, and for the most part, the Stankonia Express stays on track. Earthtone III’s production is ahead of its time, and lyrically, Dre and Big Boi are forever on point. The argument may always stick around as to which Outkast album was truly a classic; some will say all of them, others will agree it’s The Source’s Aquemini, while to this writer, it was ATLiens. The forever debatable subject may always remain, but heads can agree on one thing, just as Big Boi states on “Red Velvet” - “don’t get me wrong, got four albums, stay consistent.”