Early November is an underrated contender for one of the worst times of the year.

If you somehow got a grip on that childlike sense of wonder over the impeding snow and holiday season, I equally envy you and am baffled by you. With this particular November being consumed by a) this fuckin’ election and b) a pretty soundly soul crushing 2016 all around along, there’s something refreshing and defiant in seeing local rapper/poet Oompa embrace an album title like November 3rd.

November 3rd, which fittingly dropped yesterday evening, is a document of end-of-the-year struggle buoyed by the electricity of one of the city’s most promising artistic voices. Between pleas to family members for understanding (“Dear Mama”), that occasional wish in the back of everyone’s head to be a kid again (“Take Me Back”), and keeping heart amidst a nationwide battle over seemingly simple declarations of #blacklivesmatter (“sayHERname”), Oompa covers familiar trials of humanity with smirking wordplay (which is on full display in first single “Your Girl” below) and incredible command of presence for a debut album.

Oompa’s official release show for November 3rd is tonight, but we absolutely recommend getting familiar with this album below before then.