Stillmatic

Nas’ 1994 debut, Illmatic, remains one of hip-hop’s essential albums, though he’s since found it difficult to formulate that same blend of vivid detail, stark production, and lyrical bluster. Stillmatic (please, try to keep up with the class) is a mostly worthy return to form: Nas gives Jay-Z a dexterous tongue-lashing, seething with anger on “Ether,” and returns to his compassionate past on the socially aware “Poison.” But duller tendencies, like garish samples of Tears for Fears, poke through, and empty political diatribes on “My Country” show that even the brightest MC can fall victim to cliché.