Yeezus

“Yeezy season approaching,” warns Kanye West over the buzzsaw synth and jittery beats of “On Site.” It's an apt opening statement for <i>Yeezus</i>, West’s sixth studio album. By the time he reaches the third track, “I Am a God,” it’s clear we’re dealing with a deity of the vengeful, gnashing-of-teeth variety. Run through with elements of ’80s acid house, Chicago drill music, and ‘90s industrial, the album features guest spots by Chief Keef, Frank Ocean, and Daft Punk, jump-cut samples of Hungarian progressive rock and obscure gospel recordings, and production by Rick Rubin and RZA. And while obsessive reinvention has long been West’s hallmark—from the climate-controlled futurism of <i>808s & Heartbreak</i> to the meticulous perfectionism of <i>My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy</i>—tunes like “I’m in It,” “Blood on the Leaves,” and “New Slaves” have the edge of an artist who's content to challenge all expectations.