After more than 25 years of making records, DJ Quik remains relevant because he adheres to a timeless template of West Coast hip-hop and because he always finds new ways to put a twist on that classic sound. In comparison to The Midnight Life, many contemporary rap albums sound belabored and hackneyed. With “Back That S**t Up,” “Broken Down,” and “Life Jacket,” Quik exhibits an unparalleled attention to sonic detail while retaining a rap style that's casual and uplifting but never dumbed-down. The album is full of little surprises, but nothing is more pleasurable than the smoother-than-smooth “Pet Semetary.”