It often takes a few listens of a new CD to appreciate its sound, but Q-Tip’s “The Renaissance,” released on Nov. 4, is overwhelmingly infectious from the start.

Q-Tip, one of the founding fathers of A Tribe Called Quest, is known for his smooth style and clever lyrics. His solo debut album, “Amplified,” received mixed reviews, and his second solo album, “Kamaal the Abstract,” was never released due to its lack of commercial appeal. Living up to Tribe masterpieces like “Midnight Marauders” and “The Low End Theory” is no easy feat, but with “The Renaissance,” Q-Tip appeals to hip-hop heads on his own terms. His latest album—a perfect blend of soul and rap—is proof that, with Q-Tip’s comeback, hip-hop is far from dead.

The first track, “Johnny is Dead,” exemplifies smooth with its funky, relaxed vibe, and sets the overall tone of the album as cool, calm and collected. The next song, “Won’t Trade,” successfully infuses an old-school hip-hop beat with a sample of an old soul track. “Gettin’ Up” proves especially soulful, both in sound and in lyrics, as when Q-Tip raps, “Doin’ it to death, no one can do it better/ When we leave our physical our spirits still together.” It’s a refreshing ballad that manages to stay pretty while avoiding the corniness typically associated with love songs.

“Official” is one of the best tracks of the album. Q-Tip’s MC skills are up to date, and his ability to incorporate 90s hip-hop into more innovative sounds is impeccable. “We Fight/ We Love,” the middle track that features Raphael Saadiq, is unbelievably fresh, with a jazzy drumbeat and grainy synth that fit perfectly with Saadiq’s smooth crooning. The second collaboration on the album, “ManWomanBoogie,” with Amanda Diva, has a funky beat that invokes the glory days of A Tribe Called Quest. “Dance on Glass,” meanwhile, proves particularly sassy thanks to Q-Tip’s lyrical genius and distinct MC sound.

The collaboration with Norah Jones on “Life is Better” is unexpectedly good, as Jones’ breathy vocals add to the melodic tone of the reverberating synth in the background. The final collaboration on the album, “Believe” with D’Angelo, is a pleasant surprise, but it falls short of the other tracks, and is bland in comparison with the previous collaborations – perhaps because the bar is set so high for an R&B legend like D’Angelo. “Shaka” is the perfect conclusion to an amazing album with its upbeat tempo and heartfelt lyrics—further proof that Q-Tip is back and better than ever.

“The Renaissance” is just what hip-hop needs to give fans faith that rap still has a future. Although he’s been gone for a while, this new album proves that Q-Tip is still among the best MCs in the game. He doesn’t forget his roots in old-school hip-hop, but is able to transcend this style to create a sound of his own. Then again, Q-Tip is known for his innovation, so it should come as no surprise to fans that the resurgence of true hip-hop would start with him.