Of all Aesop Rock’s albums, this one is the most unique, though far from the best. Aes wrote this ugly duckling in collaboration with singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson of the Moldy Peaches. Opinions on the album will likely hinge upon how much an individual likes Dawson’s music. Personally, I can’t stand her. Her observations on life feel mundane in the extreme, her quirkiness is cloying, and her voice grates on me. Dawson’s sound dominates Hokey Fright, with Aes’ production filling out her arrangements. It makes for an interesting listen when taken as a fusion between folk music and hip-hop but some songs work better than others. For example “Bats,” the highlight of the record, strikes a good balance between Dawson’s jangle and Aesop’s smoother groove. Lyrically, Aes and Dawson share some common ground — both find deeper significance in the mundane moments of everyday life, and they share a pitch-black sense of humor. Their sensibilities work well on songs like “Organs,” which comments on the inherent kindness of organ donation. Trouble is, Aes just works better as a prophet of doom than a court jester. Fans of Dawson and her ilk will like this release more.