London MC Simbi Ajikawo has come true on her early promise with this confident and unapologetic album, the best rap record of the year so far.
Rapper lands on a new, bold sound that incorporates an eclectic range of influences, along with three carefully chosen features.
Her evolution up to this point was a clear signifier, with all the components in place even in her early work; on Grey Area, it feels as if everything has come together in perfect unison, resulting in one of the strongest rap albums of 2019.
Despite the range of styles and topics explored throughout, GREY Area is still remarkably cohesive, and that’s largely down to Simz herself, who expertly veers between touching intimacy and searing bravado without ever losing sight of the album’s overall tone.
Amid GREY Area’s indefinites, there is one absolute: Little Simz is a big deal, and nobody knows that better than her.
Though Grey Area isn't the most cutting-edge rap album out there, there's not a spot on it where Little Simz falters even slightly.
‘Grey Area’ feels like a transition for Little Simz, taking her music to the next level by working with British hip-hop producer, Inflo. His impact permeates the entire album, with its an incredibly raw, poignant air – from the record’s instrumentation to the inimitable way Simz attacks nearly every track.
At turns both acerbic and unguarded, GREY Area feels like the grand culmination of everything Simz has been puzzling out to this point.
At once soft and hard, fiery and vulnerable, Grey Area finds Little Simz thriving in her multi-facetedness.
Mega-stardom might never be hers in the end, but Grey Area sets out a different kind of stall anyway: Little Simz is a slow-burner, and now that she’s found a slicker sound, there’s no telling where she might go.
GREY Area, as the title suggests, is far from the theatrics of a black and white world, but lays in the complexities of everything in between.
‘GREY Area’ ... is the first full-length release where it feels like we’re seeing the actual Simz with no facade.
Few artists achieve in their lifetimes what Simbi Ajikawo has achieved at 25. Grey Area, her coming-of-age (maybe "quarter life crisis" is a better epithet) record is equal parts confident, slick, and still somehow jejune.
Thrilling, thoughtful and unrestrained by existing rap templates, Grey Area confirms Little Simz as an artist who is increasingly difficult to dismiss.
This is Simz at her most enjoyable, delivering everything that makes her distinct but with a welcome layer of polish.
Let's talk about the best female rapper working today for a bit shall we?
Ah yes, The one and only Little Simz. Well, She has been my favorite female rapper for a while now, I'm pretty sure she is like the best woman on the planet by any means, I love her more than I love my mom. I'm happy that people are more aware of her and her huge talent as she keeps evolving as an artist, And today we are going to talk about my favorite album from her.
Yup, You heard it right, This is my favorite ... read more
I'm late but holy shit
Let me elaborate: The sound of this album is something that I really wanted to hear more of in hip hop. It's energetic in a swaggering but humble way, with just enough organic feels to not lose its slick experimental qualities. Despite only being 35 minutes, this album compacts so much great ideas and sounds.
Goddammit Little Simz is just too capable of a rapper for this world! Her flows and delivery are potent as hell and her lyrics are sharp and intriguing! But this wouldn't be a terrific hip hop record if she wasn't so on point with the outstanding production too, which forgoes modern rap cliches in favor of great live instrumentation. Overall, this is one of the most forward-thinking rap records of the year!
Fav Tracks: Selfish, Boss, Venom, Offence, Wounds, Pressure, Flowers
Least Fav Track: ... read more
Little Simz has some of the best music I’ve ever heard, and this project is no different. Instrumentals with so many layers it’d take days to unpack them, and lyrics that have enough content to keep every listen more compelling than the last are just a few of the things that make this album one of the best from the modern era.
Textbook definition of "short and sweet". Not a single dull or off moment in its entire runtime. Perfect.
1 | Offence 2:48 | 92 |
2 | Boss 3:05 | 88 |
3 | Selfish 3:46 feat. Cleo Sol | 93 |
4 | Wounds 4:39 feat. Chronixx | 88 |
5 | Venom 2:34 | 93 |
6 | 101 FM 3:11 | 89 |
7 | Pressure 3:27 feat. Little Dragon | 89 |
8 | Therapy 3:15 | 86 |
9 | Sherbet Sunset 4:55 | 89 |
10 | Flowers 3:45 feat. Michael Kiwanuka | 90 |
#1 | / | The Line of Best Fit |
#2 | / | Gigwise |
#3 | / | Clash |
#3 | / | Dummy |
#3 | / | Loud and Quiet |
#3 | / | The Independent |
#4 | / | Q Magazine |
#4 | / | Rough Trade |
#5 | / | BBC Radio 6 Music |
#5 | / | NME |