Veteran underground hip-hop duo Atmosphere returns strong with the heartbreak-fueled single, “Make it All Better Again.”

“The verses will be just kinda more like / You can flirt with it again right here.” It’s hard to believe that Minneapolis, Minnesota underground hip-hop duo Atmosphere (Slug and Ant) have been around since the 90s.  That is the case, with both members of the duo firmly planted in middle age.  Rapper Slug is currently 45, while DJ and producer Ant is 47.  “Age ain’t nothing but a number” as the duo returns strong with an intriguing new single, “Make It All Better Again.”

“Make It All Better” again is composed of excellent production work: an optimistic, pop/rock urban/hip-hop sound, rhythmic guitar, electric guitar, and hard drums.  Safe to say, Ant does work.  Slug paints the backdrop with compelling rhymes, showing off his sick flow, which seems to get even better with age.  The premise of the song is heartbreak, with the protagonist struggling to cope with being dumped.  On the first verse, Slug spits:

“When the universe collapsed and flattened the Earth / Pretend that you don’t live in the past with us / Give the kids a reason to laugh at us / His heart’s broken, but when he hears a car door closing / It gets him off the hardwood floor hoping.”

Essentially, the brokenhearted dude is waiting for his boo to return.  On the second verse, Slug emphasizes there are worse things besides getting dumped: “You could literally lose your breath / You could die in a fiery car crash underwater…” On the chorus, a mix between straight rhymes and quasi-melodic rap, he seems to nudge the girl that she should come back and “make it better again.”

“And I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say / But I know you should probably come home today / So we can make it all better again / But it feels like it’s ever gonna end…”

Final Thoughts

Atmosphere excels on “Make It Better Again.” Great production, relatable songwriting, and great rapping.  What more could you ask for from an underground, Midwest rap record?

Atmosphere • Make It All Better Again • Rhymesayers Entertainment • Release: 8.7.18

Photo Credit: Rhymesayers Entertainment