Big Smo has recently released his latest album, Special Reserve, and it, as usual, has not failed to raise eyebrows.

Special Reserve encompasses many of the themes and ideas Big Smo (John Lee Smith) relates to the concept of home. The tracks on this album take us through growing up in the backwoods of Tennessee, drinking moonshine and partying. Despite the numerous party-themed tracks, Big Smo doesn’t exclude matters of the heart and soul, which can separate him from some other rappers in his genre. He has devised a unique sound that combines country-rock and urban hip-hop—a blend mixing twangy banjos and drum machines, sometimes known as hick-hop—to bring us the definition of who he is as a person. Not only does he embrace the simplicity of his upbringing, but he does so unapologetically.

It’s easy to identify his inspirations through a quick listen to his songs. He draws upon The Beastie Boys and Alter Bridge-esque riffs to bring us an urban yet rugged sound topped off by a back-home country feel.

Most rappers today rely on production quality, wild sampling and profuse swearing to portray their ideas, but Big Smo simply talks about the qualities and ideas he knows best.

Special Reserve takes a slight musical detour from the Smo norm in melody and lyricism. There is a great deal more variation in rhythm and cadence in both his words and the tracks backing him up. He even takes a more pop-music-styled approach with “Bright Lights Big City,” a track bearing ideas similar to those heard on Justin Timberlake’s 2013 album, The 20/20 Experience.

More than anything, I commend Big Smo for his ability to tie together genres and styles that wouldn’t normally be seen together, and making them work. Hip-pop, country, rock, and pop is a lot to jam into one song, but on Special Reserve, Big Smo does it beautifully—12 times in a row.