Music producer Steven Ellison, also known as Flying Lotus, has the kind of career that contemporary artists dream of. He's respected, acclaimed, constantly working, and seems to be having a great time. His wild fifth studio album, You're Dead!, explores the titular concept through boisterous jazz, leftfield hip-hop, blaxploitation throwback sounds, and smooth slow jams. Released this week, Ellison says it is "probably the most accessible record" yet.

The first single from Until the Quiet Comes, the fourth album from California genre-smearer Flying Lotus, has arrived with a crash and a flutter. "See Thru to U" features laconic sing-song vocals from the reliably fearless Erykah Badu, the eye of the storm in this collage of mostly gentle sounds that when combined have the effect of fury. Beguiling.