"Always get a random check when I rock the stubble," annoyedly expresses Himanshu Suri aka Heems (yes, formerly of Das Racist) on "T5," the single from the Queens native's collaborative debut with London's Riz MC (yes, from HBO's The Night Of). Collectively known as Swet Shop Boys, Redinho rounds out the group as its sole producer, and foresaid track/verse is a handy clue as to what Cashmere is as a whole: first-person accounts of unique experiences shared by U.S. and U.K. residents of South Asian descent, rapped over sparse, slapping instrumentals influenced by "Qawwali hand claps, hype harmonium, Bollywood string drama, spiralling sitars, Western synths, and an arsenal of drums - from 808s to tablas and tars, dhloaks and doumbeks." In addition to TSA mishaps, the Boys offer sharp commentary on social justice: "The NYPD ain't nothing but Nazis," "I know they're tapping up my camera phone / I hear weird noises when mans at home." Despite the heavy, serious subjects they tackle, the dudes never lose their sense of humor, and that makes for music w/ a message that can also soundtrack a party. Check out "Shottin," "tiger Hologram," "Zayn Malik," "Swish Swish," and "Shoes Off."

• digital download included
• music label: Customs Music 2016

reviewed by fresh noods 11/2016