Seattle's Sadistik dropped his first album, The Balancing Act, in 2008, followed by the conceptual rock opera–inspired The Art of Dying two years later. Stylistically similar to acts like Eyedea, Sage Francis, Buck65, and Sole, he makes music for adventurous listeners unconcerned with funky beats or thug-life posturing; he's more interested in atmospheric production supporting ultra-emotional, heart-on-my-sleeve poetry. To be sure, Flowers for My Father won't spark a riot on the dance floor anytime soon. But for frustrated, "nobody understands me!"–minded teenagers or other moody listeners, this could be a godsend. Fellow melodramatic art rapper Cage appears on the dreamy single "Russian Roulette," while Deacon the Villain (of CunninLynguists) joins the fray on "Kill the King." Other highlights include "Song for the End of the World" and "A Long Winter."