Following several tragedies in his personal life, New York rapper El Gant had a decision to makeface those losses head on or bury them deep within. Luckily for us, he chose the former. The result is O.S.L.O., the emcees most gripping and personal project yet. Its also his most relatable, because it shows what were all capable of when were equipped with the right tools to cope and, in El Gants case, transform that tragedy into something powerful.

The album arrives nearly a decade after his previous solo effort, 2014s great Beast Academy, and after several years spent touring and recording with his group, Jamo Gang, with Ras Kass and J57. Despite the highs associated with that time, El Gant also experienced major personal losses. In particular, he lost three close friendsThe Last Original, Bones, and Jim Misaall of whom had a major impact on his life and career. In fact, the albums title, O.S.L.O., references the Last Original, because its an acronym for Our Sun the Last Original.

But it wouldnt be an El Gant project without some straight-up dope hip-hop, too. Tracks like Avirex (feat. Innocent? & King Magnetic) and Chromed Out (feat. Ras Kass & Planet Asia) are absolute bangers filled with shape-shifting flows and crazy wordplay.

Theres a reason for these tonal shifts, too; El Gant didnt want to simply create a linear album. I want to take the listener on a few ups and downs, just like life does for most of us, the emcee says. Its those qualities that make O.S.L.O. so immediately satisfying, and why its his most accomplished work to date.