I suspect most New Orleanians don’t realize that one of the music groups most streamed and also high on the Billboard charts are the local underground hip hop duo $uicideboy$. The fame comes with the game, and even as they prepare for international touring and their upcoming album (their fourth), they recently dealt with a Three 6 Mafia copyright infringement lawsuit against them as well as one of their own against merch bootleggers.

In the midst of all this, they are nothing if not prolific. $crim, who released several mix tapes before the group formed in 2014, just dropped Lonely Boy, his second solo album. Over the 26 tracks, a different mindset seems to be peeking through. Yes, the usual $uicideboy$ topics of self-medication, suicide, and life on the edge are in abundance, but there’s a different framework to it. It feels a little less like nihilism for the sake of it. And this is music you listen to for the lyrics more so than the beats.

In fact, the album begins with “Destination: Home” announcing, “Wondering where I’ve been, I’ve been transcended,” but also the repetition of “Dream on” plays with dual meaning. The album ends with “Levitate,” a fitting sonic outro that lives up to its name, and the unexpected conclusion that love is the answer.

In between, the single “Maserati Slick” has $crim rapping about a “new wave,” “new pace,” “new face,” and “new way.” “North Pontchartrain Blues” makes it clear that, “I’ve given up tryin’ to battle my demons.” “Paradise,” which is tucked in the middle of the album and might be the sneak hit, settles in with acoustic guitar, desert vibe, and sense that this may be his way forward, both lyrically and musically. “Excuse me for sipping too much. I’m just tryna feel the same. Forgive me for swerving too much. I’m just tryna find my lane,” he makes clear.

For those who are new to $crim and $uicideboy$, despite a slightly similar appearance to Post Malone, other than maybe “Paradise,” these are not songs with melodies and hooks made for airplay. This is not Lil’ Wayne with verbal dexterity. This is most definitely not bounce. Call it trap-hop. Call it underground rap. Call it white boy emo. Whatever the catch phrase, there’s no denying edgy, vulnerable, and some shock value connects with a lot of people.

“I’m too busy to die,” sounds like $crim’s mantra for changing ways over the course of Lonely Boy. Dunno if this is what sobriety sounds like, but it feels like he’ll have no lack of life to put to pen.