Seattle hip-hop trio State of the Artist’s debut record SeaCal managed to fit no less than 21 different features into 15 tracks. Their press release called attention to this fact, but it’s one worth noting when considering their follow-up EP Altered State–which, aside from a chorus each from Janae Jones (“I Think I Love You”) and Shaprece, was handled in-house down to Parker’s production and his Slap, Crackle, Pop recording studio. And today’s drop, “Alive” (featuring the second and final guest hook), is further proof they can handle things just fine on their own.Continuing the sonically dark and lyrically serious streak, “Alive” is a grind song at its core, anchored in Parker’s heavy keys that play off grainy synths and crashing drums. Over the glimpse of lightheartedness in the bridge, Hyphen8d deftly drops his philosophy–“I have heard ’bout more and less/If less is more, I’m trying’ to live poor unless/That ain’t the path that fortune sets”–and the single’s art is drawn straight from the hook. “Sometimes this life will break your soul, but you’ve got a heart of gold, and they know…”Altered State drops May 10, and you’re going to want to snap that up. The seven-track EP is a definite departure from the sunshine vibe of SeaCal, heavier into synths than samples–and described to me by TH as, if memory serves, something along the lines of “4 a.m. party music.” That, in addition to the impressively developed lyrical ability it showcases, means in essence: You want artistic progression, you’ve got it coming.Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.