Aesop Rock and Blockhead Announce New Album 'Trouble Mountain'
Aesop Rock and Blockhead have announced their upcoming joint album 'Trouble Mountain', the follow-up to 2021's 'Garbology'. The record features guest verses from Open Mike Eagle, Hanni El Khatib, and others, and was inspired by Aesop Rock's childhood trips to the Poconos. It is set for release on November 13 via Rhymesayers.
The album’s seventeen-track listing includes collaborations with Open Mike Eagle, Hanni El Khatib, Baby Dayliner, Cavalier, and 4-IZE, alongside a lead single accompanied by an animated video depicting a skier navigating a surreal, hostile landscape. Aesop Rock’s statement ties the project to childhood weekends in the Poconos, framing the fictional “Trouble Mountain” as a metaphorical ski lodge where chance encounters and local rivalries mirror life’s unpredictability. The record arrives November 13 via Rhymesayers, with a pre-order price of $50 at Rough Trade.
This release could reinforce the enduring partnership between two veteran underground hip-hop figures, potentially drawing longtime fans back to Rhymesayers’ catalog while introducing younger listeners to their collaborative chemistry. The thematic pivot toward nostalgia and absurdist storytelling may resonate with audiences seeking escapist, narrative-driven music in a fragmented media landscape, though its niche appeal likely limits broader cultural reach beyond dedicated indie-rap circles.