(Photo: Cash Money Records)

Snoop Lion is taking a break from his reggae persona, meaning the big Dogg is back with That’s My Work Vol. 1, a compilation of new and unreleased tracks from him and his Dogg Pound crew. Alongside Daz, Kurupt and Soopafly, Snoop proves he and his legendary flow haven’t lost a beat since we last heard him rhyme on 2011’s Doggumentary. With the help of the DPG and featured guests like Dom Kennedy and The Hustle Boyz, Snoop crafts one of the strongest releases to come out of the West side all year.

From the "Intro" track, it’s clear that Snoop and company intend to keep things strictly West Coast as they take turns dropping gangsta couplets over a hypnotically bouncing beat and warped synths. Rumbling drums and plodding keys shape the tape’s soundscape, allowing the dogs to lyrically roam from gangsta party jams ("Keep a N---a High" and "We Came Here to Party") to more menacing trunk rattlers like "Goin Gorilla" and "F--- Yo Crew."

We've come to expect crisp flows and carefree lyrics from the legendary collective, but it's That's My Work's beat selection that truly sets it apart. Arguably the best collection of Cali-flavored instrumentals this side of Wiz Khalifa's Cabin Fever 2, the authentic West side vibe reverberates via the diverse mix of tracks. From the instantly-intoxicating vocal sample that drives "Getta Grip" to the soulful "Executive Branch," it’s the beats that will keep this tape in rotation through the winter.

The tape's more experimental moments may prove to be its most lasting. "Take A Climb," an off-key beat featuring the MCs dropping their filthiest rhymes and freakiest flows, would sound at home on a cleaned up commercial version or in an electro house party. Like the mixtape itself, the track is a sleeper. But with Snoop’s name behind it, there’s no limit to how high these West coast dogs can take things in 2013.

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