Stress also comes through in the way Pos, for the first time in his career, is asked to shoulder the bulk of an album by himself. Part of the group’s appeal was the interplay between its vocalists’ clashing brands of observational whimsy: Dave’s smart-ass baritone versus Pos’ grounded tenor, both of which frequently birthed beguiling turns of phrase. Pos’ banal abstractions are still fascinating and his flows are limber, but the OG dynamic is sorely missed, especially after hearing the handful of tracks where he and Dave do spit together. “The Package,” for example, is classic De La—Dave dropping gems like “Be mouse humble if you’re two crumbs up” and Pos claiming their style will get you higher than gospel or weed pens, all while Pete Rock’s swinging Impressions sample adds just the right pastel touch. Otherwise, much of Cabin plays like a modern version of 2004’s The Grind Date. If you’ve been hungry for De La’s takes on internet dating and navigating misinformation through nursery-rhyme melodies, you’ve come to the right place.
The production is uniformly warm and vibrant, and the list of beatmakers is bound to give any East Coast rap fan bouts of the itis: Pete Rock and DJ Premier are the marquee names, and their offerings, from Rock’s sprightly full-bodied flips of classic soul records to Premier’s trademark DJ cuts over drum breaks and loops, scratch that traditionalist hip-hop itch like no other. They’re joined by other luminaries like Seattle’s Jake One and Virginia’s Nottz, but it’s longtime collaborator Supa Dave West, with five credits across the album, who does the most to shape Cabin’s technicolor vibes. West’s gospel background consistently shines through, snapping percussion and golden instrumental arrangements tumbling down from on high. The drums, organs, bass, and synths on the title track all stagger-step around each other, creating a lurching beat primed for the pearly gates. “Good Health” and “Day in the Sun (Gettin’ Wit U)” respectively use maximal and minimal approaches to sun-soaked boom-bap that rattle with urgency and chirp with budding love. It has the pastel looseness of Buhloone Mindstate but is crisp and handsomely engineered.
De La have been watched over by several affiliates with their own cabins in the sky over the years, from Native Tongues brother Phife Dawg and superproducer J Dilla to singer Don Newkirk and Pos’ own mother, but Dave’s passing fundamentally changes the group forever. Three plugs is now two. Hearing Dave’s happy-go-lucky story of lust turning into love on closer “Don’t Push Me” is a bittersweet reminder that he’s gone but also affirms De La’s eternal sense of play. “Cindy said ‘If y’all stop, then Dave stops’,” Pos says of Dave’s sister on “YUHDONTSTOP,” the mission tough but clear. Cabin in the Sky is a massive reorientation point for a group that’s already been through several. Change can be messy, they seem to say, but when you have this many loved ones ensuring a smooth transition, it’s hard not to smile at it all.
