Album number ten from these Philadelphia-based hip-hop pioneers has been eagerly awaited – and, yet again, The Roots have delivered. Named for the gospel song made famous by Mahalia Jackson, How I Got Over is a sometimes dark and introspective, yet deeply reflective record.

The Roots have always traded in a brand of hip-hop infused with an uncommon intelligence – both lyrical and musical – and all of these traits are evident on a record that finds the band reaching out to a stellar list of guests to form a truly collaborative piece of work. Monsters of Folk main men James, Oberst and Ward contribute to a reimagining of their ‘Dear God’. Elsewhere, Joanna Newsom and John Legend, among others, also drop by to lend a hand. This is a fantastic record full of flow and finesse – a must for fans of thoughtful, well-crafted hip-hop.