Evoking the spirit of the kite-like image on the cover, Shifting States by All Star Opera swoops and soars. I first heard their music a few weeks ago at the record release party for this seven-track EP. They were heavily hyped to me, and this record—and their live show—does not disappoint. Wistful raps are backed by a proper, six-piece rock band, with guitars, bass, drums and so on, used to full effect on the reggae-inspired opener, “Marooned,” and in the guitar and horn interplay on the instrumental “Dock Ellis.” The low-key, not-quite-title-track, “Shifting Statements,” taps a spoken word coffee shop jazz vibe.