Cheat Codes

by Danger Mouse / Black Thought

3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Fans know Black Thought's voice over the Roots' full-band, comparatively organic sounds. Here, his verbal dexterity mixes with actual sample-based hip-hop, a rarity in contemporary, mainstream rap."
4 stars out of 5 -- "CHEAT CODES feels like a platform for Trotter's skills, Burton lining up the beats and letting his hero spit unimpeded."
4 stars out of 5 -- "Fortunately, both producer and MC are on killer form. Opener 'Sometimes' ushers in a sweet sweep of vintage soul; a sample from Gwen McRae's 'Love Without Sex' subtly manipulated by Danger Mouse to allow Black Thought to start unspooling a slick and deliberate flow."
Paste (magazine) - "Danger Mouse adds a distinct analog-like feel, blurring the line between artificial and real as he layers drums, guitars and warm static into a playground for Black Thought to spit on."
Pitchfork (Website) - "After nearly two decades of on-off collaborations, the veteran musicians finally reach the finish line with their first full-length together, yielding a dozen tracks of solid, bare-bones hip-hop."
Clash (Magazine) - "As consistently sharp as ever, Thought exudes a braggadocio he's rarely exhibited until this stage in his career. The mobster character Thought immerses himself in allows him to create lucid scenes with single bars."