Coming off a an energetic performance at last weekend’s Catskill Chill Music Festival, Lotus has dropped their new hip-hop inspired album Monks today, which features collaborations with MC’s such Lyrics Born, Mr. Lif, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Doodlebug, Ozay Moore, Ras Arcane and more. The 5-piece has decided to journey once again into new territory, as with this album they use their own studio work as a sample source, yet recontextualize it all into a classic hip-hop album. It’s easy to hear the influences of soul, jazz, and funk sprinkled throughout the album, giving it that true old school feel.

Lotus has also premiered the video for “Cannon in the Heavens” which features Lyrics Born (check it out below). The video was directed and edited by Lotus’ own Jesse Miller, and features cameos from Steve Molitz (Particle), DJ Logic, Tom Hamilton and Clay Parnell (Brothers Past).

Some additional tour dates have also been announced, including a show at New York City’s Terminal 5 on November 30th and a two-night New Year’s run at The Electric Factory in Philadelphia.

Purchase the album via iTunes and on Digital/Vinyl.

Listen to Monks here, via Soundcloud/Bandcamp:

Check out the video for “Cannon in the Heavens” ft. Lyrics Born and Chris Vos:

Lotus Tour Dates

September
13- Morrison, CO- Red Rocks Amphitheatre
14- Kansas City, MO- Dancefestopia 2013
15- Columbia, MO- The Blue Note
18- Nashville, TN- Marathon Music Works
19/20- Athens, GA- Georgia Theatre
21/22- Charlottesville, VA- The Jefferson Theater

October
25-27- Placerville, CA- Hangtown Halloween Ball (exact day TBA)
31- Morgantown, WV- Metropolitan Theater

November
1- Columbus, OH- Newport Music Hall
2- St. Louis, MO- The Pageant
3- Urbana, IL- Canopy Club
5- Covington, KY- Madison Theater
7- Stroudsburg, PA- Sherman Theater
8- Syracuse, NY- F Shed at the Market
9/10- Washington, DC- 9:30 Club
30- New York, NY- Terminal 5

December
30/31- Philadelphia, PA- Electric Factory

January
4-9- The Open Seas, FL- Jam Cruise

February
14-16 – Live Oak, FL – AURA Music Festival (headlining two days, exact days TBA)