Since his Juno-nominated Dope Sick rose Madchild from debilitating drug addiction to sobriety and widespread solo success, the Swollen Members frontman has been busy concocting a slew of new material. His latest release, Lawn Mower Man, is a continuation of his “comeback” that began with 2012’s Dope Sick, and features familiar Battle Axe production from Rob the Viking and C-Lance. Guest appearances are limited to Prevail – the other vocal half of Swollen Members – Langley, BC singer Sophia Danai and Bishop Lamont. Lead-off track “Crazy” effectively sets the tone as Mad raps “Trust me, you don’t wanna fuck with me / I’m sucker free / Stab you with your mother’s cutlery, I’m not your cup of tea” over a heavy-hitting, cellar-dwelling beat. Other verses on “Tiger Style” and “Underground King” are less inspired, and feel like outtakes for Dope Sick, but Mad regains focus on “It Gets Better,” bringing listeners closer to the man behind his Battle Axe Warrior persona. Lawn Mower Man is a competent hip hop record, but largely feels rushed with shallow production and recycled hi-hats and samples. Mad Child might do best to wait more than a few months before dropping his next full-length disc. (Suburban Noize Records, madchild57.com) Harrison Samphir