Astronautalis has always had something really great going for him, even if its infusion with his musical output didn't yield the best results: he's unapologetically genuine with each emotion he expresses throughout a given album. In this sense, Cut The Body Loose is no different. The songwriting here is somewhat desultory, as the album sometimes sounds like it can't figure out quite what it wants to be. There's some really great material in the second half, where things gel together, like the fun and jazzy "Attila Ambrus", the beautiful "Forest Fire" and the heartfelt home-state callback "Boiled Peanuts". These tracks all see Astronautalis at his best, where his mixture of assorted indie rock stylings and a distinct hip-hop structure blend excellently. Elsewhere, however, it seems very rough around the edges, as if he's throwing ideas against the wall to see what sticks. It's not his best work, surely, but it's still a nice listen despite the troubles involved.
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