Is Danny Brown hip-hop’s greatest new talent?

Over the last 18 months or so, Brown seems to have gone hell-for-leather to prove himself. XXX illustrated that he knows how to pull together a killer full-length; show-stealing spots on Mr Muthafuckin’ eXquire ‘Huzzah!’ and A-Trak’s ‘Ray Ban Vision’ showed he can play the tall poppy; and collabs with the likes of Darq E Freaker and Paul White showcase his impeccable taste. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a fascinatingly odd character either. ‘Sweet’, a new track produced by Detroit veteran House Shoes, demonstrates Brown’s versatility even further [via The Fader].

House Shoes’ stuttering head-snap beat has a delicate, Golden Age feel to it. The Dilla/Madlib dustiness is there, but there’s also a playful streak and big-top jauntiness at play. Brown sounds much more bellicose than he has in a while, his ragged voice approaching Ghostface levels of intensity. Facials, wolves and “Scrooge, Ebenezer” all get shout outs. Long may Brown’s purple patch continue.

‘Sweet’ is taken from House Shoes’ new EP The Time, a precursor to LP Let It Go (his first, oddly enough). Let It Go arrives in June.