(Hydro Funk/MGM)

The forgotten crew of Australian b-boy breaks in many ways, this first single off their highly anticipated new long player should do more than whet your whistle.

When Australian hip-hop was a long way from making its way to mainstream radio, the Resin Dogs struck a chord with listeners. They made up-tempo party breaks that fans from a wide array of genres lapped up. Triple J had anything they released on high rotation and their label Hydro Funk was respected world wide, so where have they been? Well the short answer is touring, across the world, while also burying themselves in the studio working on their next long player. The big question is, do they still have what it takes? The answer is a resounding yes.

More of an EP than a single, with five different tracks featured Definition kicks things off. A nasty distorted bass line, Ab Rude on the hook and Hau from Koolism, along with the UK’s Mystro trading verses. It’s a dope track plain and simple, fantastic party breaks, combined with lyrical sharpness and chemistry and should crush any doubts anyone had as to the Dogs’ ability. Next up is Abstract Rude, and again there is an underlying dirty distorted bassline, but things here slow down as Ab takes the political path. Voicing many concerns that so many of us hold with the world today, the beat manages to keep the track funky and hold your attention.

The third shot from the Resin Dogs’ cannon sees Queensland’s grimy booze and smoke loving Lazy Grey doing what he does best. Mad Blunted is exactly what you would expect from Grey, his sharp delivery and mic presence is still as good as any going around, and although his lyrics are nothing new – the fact is they’re tight. Rounding things out - apart from the title track instrumental - is The Pharcyde with Shut Yo Mouth. Again the dogs have created a funk layered up-tempo production perfectly suited to the MCs. This is where it gets a little interesting for me, Shut Yo Mouth is a direct shot at all those who have written The Pharcyde off recently, a group of critics that include me. Rather than take offence I will say that this is far better than anything I have heard from them in a long while, the return of arrogance on the mic was long overdue.

Four different tracks and a slew of international and local MCs – the Resin Dogs have returned, cop this EP and remember why you loved them the last time around!