Album Review Danger Mouse & Black Thought - Cheat Codes

Danger Mouse and Black Thought’s debut collaborative album arrives after years of speculation and rumours, and the widescreen sound that’s infused in every note honours that level of excitement: ‘Cheat Codes’ feels like an album that’s been lived in for a long time. Initially titled ‘Dangerous Thoughts’, the record was first mooted as an idea by the pair over a decade ago, and though it’s not clear how much of that intervening time was spent actively working on the album, it’s one that sees a perfect pair emerge. Atop Danger Mouse’s often psychedelic instrumentals, Black Thought fits in perfectly with his syrupy verses. Though these two would easily fill an excellent album themselves, they welcome more musical royalty across the record. With guests including A$AP Rocky and Run The Jewels (on the woozy ‘Strangers’), Michael Kiwanuka (on the sparkling psych of single ‘Aquamarine’), the late MF DOOM and more, Danger Mouse and Black Thought’s long-awaited album arrives as a tribute to a whole scene rather than just two artists.