Limerick hip-hop trip Rusangano Family have built up a loyal domestic following with a series of well-received EPs and live performances. They have also landed some notable support slots, with the likes of Young Fathers, Run The Jewels and Snoop Dogg.

With an impressive musical eclecticism and a lyrical focus on social and political issues, their first album, Let The Dead Bury The Dead, is undoubtedly one of the best Irish debuts of the year. Kicking off with ‘Kierkegaard’, a terrific mix of infectious rhythms and clever wordplay, the album proceeds to veer into bouncing dubstep (‘Lights On’), hypnotic soul (‘Love In A Time Of War’) and catchy funk (‘Wisdom Teeth’).

The band’s political awareness is most strikingly displayed on ‘Heathrow’, which addresses the persecution of immigrants, while ‘We All Need A Break Sometimes’ – assembled from some wonderfully atmospheric soul samples – ensures that the Let The Dead... fulfils one of my main criteria for a strong album: as soon as the track was over, I immediately wanted to hear it again. Essential listening for hip-hop lovers.

7/10
Key Track='Heathrow'