What better way to celebrate Lil Wayne’s 28th birthday than with his eighth studio record? Evolving from an EP, the 10-song digitally-released project seems to stand as proof that the impending check-in to Rikers (on weapons charges, if you’ve been living under a rock) spurred the emcee’s creativity. Weezy keeps it in the family for I Am Not A Human with features from the usual Young Money roster, including choruses from Nicki Minaj and Jay Sean, and as could be expected the Drake collaborations are some of the strongest tracks–from Billboard hit “Right Above It” to soulful “With You” to the competition-slamming “Gonorrhea.” But the record also hosts features “I’m Single” from Wayne’s No Ceilings mixtape and a title track that’s just a little too reminiscent of the rap-rock Rebirth, as well as top-notch production from Kane Beatz and StreetRunner. Ultimately, Not A Human–Afro-futurism and Martian references aside–is Lil Wayne-quality work that stands on level with 2008’s multi-platinum Tha Carter III. Some might look at it as a tide-over until November 5–the tentative prison release date rumored to coincide with the release of the beyond-highly-anticipated Tha Carter IV–but I Am Not A Human Being can stand alone. And hell, if you like it enough, the physical version (complete with bonus tracks) drops October 12. For now, iTunes is the place to go.