Thank the universe, the Dogg is back. After a bizarre detour in 2013, when he changed his name to Snoop Lion, converted to Rastafarianism and released a reggae album, the rapper has been in the studio with Pharrell again and re-embraced the funk. His 13th album, Bush, is Snoop back to doing what he does best: sleazin’ and steezin’ over sunny-side-up beats, slipping his name into as many refrains as possible, and celebrating being baked. He’s got some enviable help from Gwen Stefani on Run Away, Rick Ross and Kendrick Lamar on I’m Ya Dogg, and Stevie Wonder’s harmonica on the ode to medical marijuana California Roll. But the way his digi-fried vocals complement Pharrell’s loose-limbed production, channelling Funkadelic (quite literally on the chorus of full-fat discofied single Peaches N Cream), Chic and Pharrell’s own back catalogue of cosmic whizzes and bangs, creates a certain hip-hop alchemy. Bush is a high five of an album, made for hydraulic cars and throbbing dancefloors, delivered, in typical Snoop style, as if from a fur-lined throne overlooking a pool party. It’s good to have him back.
