Stylish, eclectic fusion of hip-hop, funk, jazz, neo-soul and R&B by the British Mercury Prize-shortlisted husky-voiced rapper with a candid release about insecurity, fatherhood, love, sex and money, filled with guest rapper and singers, and a follow-up to 2022's acclaimed Reason to Smile. A running theme, centred around a party that he attends yet also carries on without him, is a focus point of joy, fear, insecurity and of course the music itself. Opener Knock Knock sets the scene with a monologue and then dialogue, before the deep funk and hedonistic confessions of Rotation, then One Rule (with the even deeper rap of Bawo). The album is a mixed bag in places, but finds greater quality the deeper it goes, with the easy grooves of relationship song One Call (with James Vickery), but the highlights are particularly Conversation, a sprightly mix of funk, slick, pacy rap, jazz and gospel backing, about seeking truth through proper communication, the deep grooves and cleverly rhythmic Problems sharing vibrant, sharp with rapping with the excellent Cristale. The album gradually moves towards love and family, with the heartfelt, candid, gentle jazz and soul of Curtains (featuring SOLOMON), and closer Baby Boy (with Ghetts) all about his four-year-old. It’s an album that captures a change of values, growing up from party animal to family man. The album also comes with a short film, also shown below. Out on Warners / Asylum Records/ Bellyempty Limited.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Feel free to recommend more new songs and albums and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or find more on social media: Song Bar X, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: