Written by: Andrew Kirkpatrick

After rebounding from a relative dearth of material with the excellent “Multiply” late last year, A$AP Rocky has returned again with a somewhat new banger accompanied by yet another immaculately shot video.

I say “somewhat” because “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2” is essentially an extended version of the verse Rocky spit during the beat change-up on “Multiply.” While that may seem like cause for disappointment, it’s pretty hard to feel cynical about a song this good.

“LPFJ2” is all about paying tribute. The heavy Southern beat would make Juicy J proud, the music video recalls the goofiness of old Wu-Tang and Tribe videos, Rocky’s verses pay homage to Pimp C, and the video ends by honoring the late A$AP Yams.

Amidst all this, however, Rocky still finds the time to deliver another great surprise in the form of yet another smooth, mid-song beat change. At this point, it seems safe to assume that this is probably another tease for a new song rather than a part of “LPFJ2” proper. Regardless, Flacko’s practice of embedding one song within another is exceedingly clever and well-executed.

His new record may not have a release date or even a title yet, but damn if he hasn’t already found a good way of promoting it.

Over time, the A$AP Mob’s M.O. has become increasingly clear and compelling: the Southern-influenced New York spitters have become experts at blending their strong ’90s influences and deep knowledge of rap culture with wild innovation, somehow making reverence for hip-hop history and trendsetting daring seem one and the same.

So behold “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2,” as it yet again shows A$AP Rocky’s near-mastery of his crew’s trademark aesthetic.