Though the economy is still a mess, we can rejoice in the fact that Freeway and Jake One‘s The Stimulus Package is here to rejuvenate hip-hop. The two display perfect chemistry with the Seattle beatsmith’s bangers complimenting the Philly Freezer’s gruff delivery. While the subject matter is sometimes stale—hustling (“One Foot In”), kicking street wisdom (“Know What I Mean”), personifying crack (“The Product”)—Freeway’s lyricism is sharp and Jake’s production crisp. These are soulful compositions full of pounding drums, heavy bass, and chopped vocal samples. The former Roc-A-Fella foot soldier is in his true element, as tracks like “Microphone Killa” and “Throw Your Hands Up” make you wonder why he even bothered with Just Blaze and Kanye.