Boston, Massachusetts Hip-Hop group The Perceptionists haven’t released an album in over a decade. A lot has changed for MCs Mr. Lif and Akrobatik since they dropped their 2005 debut Black Dialogue (which featured fellow Massachusetts legend Guru, Phonte of Little brother and label mate Camu Tao) on El-P’s defunct Definitive Jux indie label. For one, they parted with a group member, DJ/producer Fakts One, who left the group to pursue a solo career. Furthermore, both lyricists suffered respective hardships that forced them to make life-changing decisions. After 12 years of highs and lows, the MCs have reunited to drop their second LP, Resolution. Releasing tomorrow (July 28), Ambrosia For Heads presents the LP a day early.

Mr. Lif released his first two solo albums, I Phantom and Mo’ Mega, on Def Jux in the early 2000s. In 2006, while on the road, Lif’s tour bus flipped over and caught on fire after its driver fell asleep at the wheel. Although the MC thankfully survived the accident, after some soul-searching, it prompted him to leave the label and eventually release his third studio album, I Heard It Today, independently in 2009. He also dropped a couple of other collaborative projects and his fourth solo LP, Don’t Look Down, over the past couple of years.

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After releasing his solo debut Balance in 2003 and the aforementioned Perceptionists album, Akrobatik dropped his sophomore LP Absolute Value in 2008. Unfortunately, Akrobatik suffered an aortic rupture a few years later and had to get open-heart surgery. After recovering, he finally returned to Rap with his third solo album, aptly titled Built To Last, in 2014 (featuring Boston legend Edo. G, Masta Ace and fellow Mass MC REKS).

Both artists are known for their thoughtful, politically and emotionally charged content, and Resolution is no exception. High-energy “Hose Down,” for example, tackles police brutality, while “Lemme Find Out” addresses modern society’s dangerous relationship with technology. Unlike their debut, this effort is largely in-house and celebrates the journey, and the current destination.

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Resolution was released by Mello Music Group, who also put out Lif’s last album and a collaborative LP he made with L’Orange titled The Life & Death of Scenery, both in 2016.

Photo by Dom Savani.