Kenny Beats is known for hip-hop production — where do you hear his influence most clearly, and does it strengthen or complicate the band's identity?

It's hard to say. Compared to their prior releases, Kenny/Kenneth seems to have brough a world of sounds and textures to the album that gives it a cohesive journey, rather than a collection of songs. I think it shows up most in some of the albums more ethereal tracks - MTT 420 RR, Kelechi, Progress, Car Crash.