Two years since Black Thought, ?uestlove et al were last on the scene with ‘The Tipping Point’. Here, the Roots return with ‘Game Theory’, a 47-minute collection of joints with an underlying sense of melancholy, their first release since signing to Def Jam. Known as being one of the world’s premier live outfits, a Roots show is something that has to be experienced for one’s self. With this their new album, they show that they aren’t just a touring band, they can also cut it in the studio.

From the catchy first single ‘Don’t Feel Right’ featuring Maimouna Youssef, the group runs through their list of concerns and opinions regarding the state of the world. The ominous drawing of the hangman on the cover paints the forthcoming tone of the album. In ‘False Media’, Black Thought tackles the reassurance rattled off by the media in this time of post-terrorism, fear and uncertainty. He rips through ‘Game Theory’ with Malik B, both rappers possessing an energy that is undeniable.

Malik B, last seen on arguably 1999’s critically lauded ‘Things Fall Apart’, returns for some guest spots on four songs altogether, including ‘In The Music’, and ‘Here I Come’, the latter a seeming ‘fuck you’ to everyone who wrote the Roots off after 2002’s ‘Phrenology’ and ‘The Tipping Point’. “I’m pennin’ the words that move millions/Slide right in front of your eyes true brilliance”.

Other standout tracks include ‘Long Time’ featuring Peedi Peedi and the slow and thoughtful ‘Atonement’ featuring Jack Davey. The grand finale is ‘Can’t Stop This’, an 8-minute tribute to the late J-Dilla, with Black Thought spitting over a Dilla produced beat. The rolling rhythms combine with the percussion and guitars to create a record of intense cynicism.

Despite releasing back-to-back critical and commercial letdowns, the Roots return with a slow burner in Game Theory. Admittedly after one listen I was a little underwhelmed, but a few listens later, I’ve grown to like this album. A lot. Which is not atypical of The Roots style. Black Thought rhymes with a purpose, and while he has been criticised for not possessing as much charisma as his contemporaries, he does his job well enough and to the point, complementing the rest of the band, which is also boosted by the return of Malik B and other guests Dice Raw, John-John, Wadud Ahmad, Mercedes Martinez, Peedi Peedi and Youssef.

If hip hop really was a woman like Common once professed, then with Game Theory, ‘I’d definitely hit it’.