Keen to push boundaries and avoid mainstream hip hop conventions, Cleveland rapper Kid Cudi returns this fortnight with his fifth offering, Satellite Flight: The Journey To Mother Moon. A prequel to his Moon series, but coming after experimental rock collection WZRD (still with me?), Satellite Flight is a conceptual, often eerie body of work, with futuristic synths and haunting vocals.

Opening with the short instrumental ‘Destination Mother Moon’ – there are four instrumentals on here, out of 10 – Cudi sets the tone of the album; futuristic, off-kilter and very, very spacey. And though working so strictly within a theme can prove limiting, there are some fine moments on Satellite Flight. ‘Copernicus Landing’ is a dreamy, hypnotic instrumental, while ‘Going To The Ceremony’ veers into almost indie rock territory. ‘Balmain Jeans’ meanwhile is a straight-up – but not unpleasant, mind you – filth fest; “I want to come inside your vortex”, Cudi purrs. The aptly-titled ‘Return Of The Moon Man – Original Score’ meanwhile could indeed soundtrack an epic sci-fi flick. The rapper continues to surprise with album closer ‘Troubled Boy’; “I’ve learned / No-one wants a troubled boy / Show them you’re a stronger boy” comes his intense, repetitive refrain, over minimal production.

As a conceptual collection, Satellite Flight may not appeal to everyone. For hip hop fans looking for something a little left of centre, it’s definitely worth a listen.