The Ascent is an album that highlights Wiley’s all-round ability as pop star, grime rapper, producer and, increasingly, songwriter.
It seems boring and a bit lazy to say that Wiley sounds best when he’s still offering up recognisable grime tunes, but it’s undeniable that on The Ascent the strongest of such efforts capture the rapper in his best light
If it’s not the beats being too polished to be affecting (‘Skillzone’), it’s the cringey pop hooks (‘Reload’) that dishonour the timelessness Wiley achieved effortlessly with his ‘Ice Rink’-era instrumentals in the early 2000s.
So readily do these sounds step away from what made their creator such a peerless proposition, they risk tarnishing his reputation at the grassroots.
There is nothing wrong at all with trying to cross over, and in fairness these unabashed tactics seem to be serving Wiley well thus far; but attempts this bare-faced should be treated with nuance and adherence to quality control
Mildly enjoyable outing by UK grime artist Wiley, with a few very good highlights, and a few head-scratching moments of EDM buggery, attempts at pop stardom, and a multitude of guest appearances, some good, some bad. It's not bad, but not that great either. There are certainly better pop-rap albums out there, and far worse as well.
Well it's understood that everybody need money man and this album sounds better than Dizzee's "tong and cheek" in my opinion. RIP Grime.
1 | Ascent Intro 3:35 | |
2 | First Class 4:01 feat. Kano, Lethal Bizzle | |
3 | Skillzone 3:47 | |
4 | Hands in the Air 3:25 | |
5 | Reload 3:13 | |
6 | Chainsaw 3:59 | |
7 | Heatwave 3:14 feat. Dyo | |
8 | So Alive 2:54 feat. Far East Movement | |
9 | Lights On 3:25 feat. Sirach Charles, Tinchy Stryder | |
10 | Can You Hear Me? (Ayayaya) 3:52 | |
11 | Tomorrow 3:40 feat. Megaman, Styalz Fuego | |
12 | My Heart 2:59 feat. Emeli Sandé, French Montana | |
13 | Humble Pie 3:45 |