De La Soul return with Cabin In The Sky, their ninth studio album and first full-length since 2016’s And the Anonymous Nobody…. The record arrives carrying enormous emotional weight, shaped by the passing of founding member David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur in 2023, yet it never sinks under that gravity. Instead, it moves with clarity, warmth, and purpose, sounding like a group determined to keep the conversation going.

The album draws its title from the idea of refuge. A place above the noise. A space to think, remember, and breathe. Across 20 tracks, Posdnuos and Maseo build that space carefully, weaving unreleased vocals from Trugoy into songs that feel alive rather than archival. His presence is felt throughout, not as a memorial gesture, but as a continuation of the voice that helped define De La Soul from the beginning.

Musically, Cabin In The Sky reconnects the group with the kind of craftsmanship that has always set them apart. The production lineup reads like a hip-hop roll call. DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Jake One, Supa Dave West and the group themselves shape a sound rooted in classic textures without feeling stuck in the past. The beats are patient, soulful, and grounded, giving the verses room to breathe and the stories room to land.

The guest list mirrors that same sense of intention. Nas, Black Thought, Common, Killer Mike, Slick Rick and Q-Tip all appear, but none overshadow the core message. These collaborations feel less like headline moments and more like conversations among peers who understand the history and the stakes. When Nas steps in or Black Thought locks into a verse, it feels earned, not decorative.

Tracks like “The Package,” built around Trugoy’s vocals and Pete Rock’s production, set the emotional tone early. It captures grief without spelling it out, leaning on feeling rather than explanation. Elsewhere, songs like “RUN IT BACK!!” with Nas and “A Quick 16 For Mama” featuring Killer Mike balance reflection with forward motion, reminding listeners that De La Soul have always known how to be thoughtful without losing momentum.

What stands out most across Cabin In The Sky is its sense of humanity. There is humor here. Warmth. Perspective. De La Soul never chase nostalgia, nor do they attempt to rewrite their legacy. Instead, they speak from where they are now, as artists who have lived full lives, absorbed loss, and still believe in creativity as a way through.

Nearly four decades into their career, De La Soul sound grounded, focused, and honest. Cabin In The Sky does not aim to summarize everything they have been. It captures who they are right now, standing together, carrying a brother with them, and continuing the work they started long ago.