El Michels Affair & Black Thought, “Glorious Game.”

Black Thought has returned once again with another collaborative album, this time with funk and soul group El Michels Affair, on Glorious Game. This album has been a long time coming, since El Michels Affair founder Leon Michels met the rapper nearly two decades ago. The duo delivers a soulful and emotional record that explores self-worth, love and identity.

The record opens with “Grateful,” with a drumroll transitioning into a bouncy tempo, smooth flute melody and backing synth tones. Black Thought raps about the blood spilled in the pursuit of power and money. He criticizes the rat race of American capitalist philosophy by drawing a connection between futile struggles for control synonymous with the American Dream.

The title track, featuring Kirby, features a funky bass-driven melody paired with soft metallic pings in the background. Black Thought reflects on his impact as one of the most revered lyricists in hip-hop and how irreplaceable he’s become. “I’m Still Somehow” takes a slower approach to the beat, with light electric guitar strums and backing tremolo vocals. Here, Thought examines how he’s managed to survive and come out on top despite all the struggle in his life—all the happier for it.

We then come to “Hollow Way,” which has the most interesting production on the album. The song opens with a grimy and staticky sample before promptly transitioning into a much softer and ambient instrumental. Black Thought opens up about how the struggles of surviving the streets has left lingering damage on the psyche on those who have made it out. “Protocol,” featuring Son Little, takes a much lighter tone, with a bright and bubbly guitar and keyboard pairing that glides over the steady snare tempo. Thought examines his love of writing and how it gives him a powerful feeling of transcendence.

On “The Weather,” Black Thought examines his youth as a blend between “the good, the bad and the ugly.” He raps over an ever-changing tempo. It’s incredible how smoothly he’s able to transition so smoothly between the faster and slower parts of the song effortlessly. We get two romantic songs with “That Girl” and “Miracle,” where Thought expresses devotion to his wife, who’s been by his side for 30 years. He sheds some wisdom on “I Would Never,” reflecting on the need for people to adapt to their situation to benefit themselves. He takes the time to caution listeners to “Be whoever you need to be, just don’t forget who you are.”

Grooving snare with faint, scaling bass and grand piano key strikes fill out “Alone,” where Thought discusses how even through our most difficult tribulations, we’re never truly alone in any struggle we endure. The album concludes with “Alter Ego,” featuring Brainstory, led by a bass melody and soft electric guitar strumming. Black Thought examines how he managed to overcome a period of stagnation and depression brought on from feeling there was nothing left for him to aspire to reach. It’s an inspiring closing chapter to the album, which reminds us that we are the sole masters of our destinies. Only we can determine the kind of people we are and who we will become, and that we should be grateful for the time we have to make the best of ourselves.

Follow hip-hop critic Tim Hoffman at Twitter.com/hipsterp0tamus.