Twista previewed his upcoming album The Perfect Storm for media yesterday at the Capitol Records offices in New York. Born Carl Terrell Michell on the west side of Chicago 36 years ago, Twista’s story is classic hip-hop: a humble talent whose prowess on the mic afforded him a chance to escape the misfortunes of his peers. Having recently overcome a near-fatal car accident—documented in the upcoming online documentary, Mr. Immortality: The Life & Times Of Twista—this is one industry veteran who only gets better with time.

“[The Perfect Storm] is my version of where I think fans would expect Twista to be at on his eighth project,” he says. “My people who support me always say they want to hear that ‘classic Twista s*it’ so I keep that in mind when making new music.” Check the album out, track by track:

“Darkness” featuring Dawreck (produced by The Legendary Traxster)
The album’s opening cut hearkens back to Snoop Dogg‘s classic “Murder Was The Case”—a haunting, grimy accompaniment for potentially destructive behavior.

“Up To Speed” (produced by Tight Mike)
The rapper says for this one he decided “to give ‘em one of the Twista classics” in response to critics saying he slowed his rap style down too much (his manager then added, “This one’s to show those biting muthaf*ckers who the fastest rapper still is too.”)

“Make A Movie” featuring Chris Brown (produced by The Legendary Traxster)
The album’s lead single is a new take on Twista’s 2003 pop hit “Slow Jamz” with Kanye West‘ and Jamie Foxx. This time around Chris Brown provides the sugary hook, with a sexy video (girl-on-girl action, etc) filmed in a mansion.

“I Do” (produced by The Legendary Traxster)
One of the first tracks recorded for the album, “I Do” has a heavy Southern club feel. Picture Ludacris‘ “My Chick Bad” without the ensemble cast.

“2012″ featuring Tia London (produced by The Legendary Traxster)
A perfect cut for heating up a cold, rainy night inside with your loved one, “2012″ is about being with your partner if the world comes to an end in two years’ time. Twista gets his sexy on with lyrics like “Such a beautiful girl in my room / I wanna be up in you when the world goes boom.” Kinda cheesy, but it works.

“Sweat’n While You Waiting” featuring B. Scott (produced by Tight Mike)
“A lot of females like this one,” says Twista about this midtempo cut.

“Back To The Basics” (produced by The Legendary Traxster)
Twista describes this frenetic track as a throwback to his Adrenaline Rush days, with his “original sound and feel.”

“Hands Up, Lay Down” featuring Waka Flocka Flame (produced by The Legendary Traxster)
The video for this track with Waka Flocka Flame (Twista recorded it with him in mind) was recently filmed (in a strip club, presumably) and will be released in coming weeks. Twista says, “As soon as we played this down in Atlanta, everyone started snappin’. We knew we had a hit instantly. Waka’s ad libs are the craziest.”

“Call The Police” featuring Ray-J (produced by The Legendary Traxster)
Thankfully Ray-J‘s saccharine vocals are limited on this song, and he provides a decent hook to what Twista describes as his “grown and sexy steppin’” joint.

“Cocaine” featuring Yo Gotti (produced by Street Runner)
Taking it to the streets with Memphis’ own Yo Gotti, Twista’s flow is slow and focused on this collaboration about the drug game (“When you touch down, serve it on the corner,” he growls).

“3 Minute Murder” (produced by The Kray Twinz)
With lackluster lines like “I am the shit, I need to wear diapers,” the album’s final cut is an average effort on the MC’s part.

There are five bonus tracks if you purchase the album at Best Buy stores, including “The Heat” produced by fellow Chicago hip-hop legend No I.D. featuring an invigorated Raekwon (arguably the best song on the album) and “Bad Girl” featuring guaranteed hitmaker Lloyd (which sounds like “Bedrock” 2.0).

The Perfect Storm drops on November 9 through Capitol Records.

Watch “Make A Movie”:

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