High on credibility, fond of the 'n' word, rhythmically vibrant and certainly targeted at a consumer other than me, English rapper Little Simz third album proper GREY Area came out at the beginning of March and is definitely worth a peek.
I'm no authority on this stuff but there's certainly plenty here that has piqued my interest. These are 'tales from the hood' and you've heard plenty of records like that before but Little Simz has loads of lyrical guile and orchestrating skill in an understated Missy Elliott way and there's something going on here from start to finish.
In addition to the gifts listed above, Little Simz also has plenty of famous friends. Kendrick Lamarr, Gorillaz and Lauryn Hill for starters. There's no lack of evidence on display on GREY Area why they might be impressed. The mood is generally eerie and you get the idea that someone might about to be shot but Simz keeps the pace brisk and there's no end of invention on display.
GREY Area sounds to me on first listening like the record that will clearly take Little Simz to the next level and make her a genuine star. There's something of Massive Attack and Tricky's dark committed intent and coiled fury about the album and also a fistful of their sheer musical invention and GREY Area might even be a Protection or Maxinquaye for 2019. No end of dark, paranoid but cleverly directed anger towards a world that entirely deserves it. Like I said, I'm not really the target market for stuff like this but it's more than won me over. One of the most creative records I've heard for ages. Just don't play it to your mother!
No comments:
Post a Comment