Nickel Nine delivers a surprise. Fresh off the release of his mixtape Tabernacle: Trust the Shooter, Royce 5’9” serves up his sixth solo album, Layers, ahead of its scheduled April 15 release date.

The 17-track set features appearances by Rick Ross and Pusha T, while boasting production from Jake One, DJ Khalil, and Mr. Porter. It’s also notable because it’s the first solo studio album Nickel has unleashed as a sober MC.

“My career is a true testament that everything is possible with hard work, dedication, and determination,” Royce told Complex last month. “Layers is 100 percent Royce 5’9″. I love rapping and creating music with [Eminem], Slaughterhouse, and Premier because they all inspire me creatively in different ways. I haven’t released a solo album in five years and I’ve been through a lot with my sobriety and different situations; and now its time for me to tell my story.”

Listen to Royce’s story below (via Pitchfork).