even after reading the hype, i'm surprised by the new kanye. very restrained, coherent, and 'classic'. feels heavily set in blueprint-style with various nice mid-90's RZA notes . . . bringing the past to the future, like 'power' sounds so modern but also probably could be at home in 2002. some kanyetastic dbaggy moments but its got heart, a sense of humor, and a natural unforced swagger . . .and it feels like the work of a person, not a character.