The deluge of free downloadable local-rap EPs doesn't look to be letting up any time soon, folkers. Recently, three new ones have hit the digital shelves for your perusal. Tacoma-Seattle crew Life Cycle (Joshua J, Burn One, DJ Hanibal) just put out Grounded (which you can find at www.lifecyclehiphop.wordpress.com), the follow-up to 2008's City of Rust. As on Rust, their signature blunted, hypnotic synth production style (their best aspect I think, and courtesy of Burn One) is in full effect. LC definitely have a sound that doesn't sound like shit else 'round here; I'm reminded of some of the spacier tracks from Styles of Beyond's debut, 2000 Fold. The two MCs are solid, their voices aren't annoying, and the fundamentals are in place, but their material mostly borders on a certain outdated (think the late-'90s 12-inch boom) underground mundanity: "I love this music with all my soul," "Hiphop's not dead," "Cats doin' anything to get a deal," etc. This, combined with the spacey vibes of their beats, can make the whole affair drag. Either the beats or the MCs need to liven up (naturally, their live shows tend to bring it harder).

Everett-onian Ripynt is back, teamed up with his dude, MC/producer Sinic, for the new A Mid-Summers Day Drive EP (www.ripandsin.com). The two are a good pairing and should consider making their Marvel Team-Up a more permanent thing. Sinic's a capable MC, his beats stomp, and he matches Rip's flow without pumping up any sonic melodrama. An improved Ripynt himself has thankfully toned down his rapid-fire Bone Thuggery in the spirit of the EP's day-tripper motif (except on the North End primer "What I'm Going Through," featuring Speedy, Neema, and Latin Rose), but he sometimes lacks the nuance and swagger to fill up the space afforded him. There's some winners on here, like the Grynch-guested "Step Your Game Up" and "Don't Worry" featuring the Physics' Thig Natural and Wizdom (O'Dea Factors!). On the latter, Rip finds his best flow on the whole EP but can't help but be outshined by Thig's understatedly cocky "I got this shit" flow.

Lastly, Kublakai of the Let Go has a new EP with his producer Slouch called Lights for the Dark Nights. The silly bastard hasn't sent it my way yet (by press time it should be up at www.kublakai.com), but the candid, hater-thanking "Appreciation" with Sol (great hook!) is a good sign.

Another good sign: Good promotion and diverse lineups with select new talent still work. The Corner is on Friday, August 28, down at the Rendezvous, with Grynch, Clockwork, SK, and Josh Rizeberg. Notice how there's not a million terrible acts, "rumored" big names, or headliners who were just here last week. Terrible promoters, you fuck up the game for everyone (as if we all don't have enough problems just doing hiphop in starched-ass Seattle for chissakes). Learn from your mistakes and please find a new fucking hobby!