Lord Apex is fast becoming the go-to-guy for combining left-of-centre rap with unexpected beats—which is presumably why he’s been tapped up by rising producer El-Train for his new single “Keep It Clear”.

Built around some jazzy, spaced-out brass, El-Train then adds a low-slung, ‘90s-sounding hip-hop beat over which Lord Apex spins his calm and collected bars that encourage us to never fear time and keep a clear mind. Taking that mind-expanding theme even further, El-Train rounds things off by twisting and layering the vocals to almost psychedelic effect, all the while maintaining a profoundly soulful quality.

Take a look at El-Train’s back catalogue and you’ll realise the Brighton producer has made a career out of working with wildly differing vocalists, and bringing something surprising out of them (Clem from Kudu Blue, Javeon and Barney Artist have all graced past productions)—but this team-up with the equally adventurous Lord Apex might be the best pairing yet.

Look out for El-Train’s debut album, Puzzles, when it drops this Friday (June 21). Pre-order here.