The labyrinthine complexities of human nature are explored here in all their grit and glory, but it’s the combination of Stormzy’s charm and his knack for storytelling that allows ‘H.I.T.H’ to glimmer with a universal appeal that will please both his mainstream audience and grime fans of old; an almost impossible task that he’s amazingly pulled off.
If Heavy Is The Head is one thing, it’s aware of its own worth. It doesn’t need me to tell you that.
Stormzy isn’t aiming to be the biggest name in grime, or UK rap, or indeed even be one of the biggest UK artists; Heavy Is The Head is him trying to go for everything and become the sort of culture-defining talent that only pops up a couple of times in a generation.
More enjoyable overall than Gang Signs, Heavy Is the Head is a well-rounded mix of toughness and sentimentality, and another rightful triumph.
Stormzy delivers one of the most introspective and prayerful works of the year, solidifying his elite status in hip-hop.
Stormzy realizes his pop rap ambitions on Heavy Is the Head.
While HITH sees Stormzy navigate second album syndrome with apparent ease, it also leaves open the question of where he goes from here.
The 16-track Heavy Is the Head comprises a mix of snapping bangers and reflective slow jams.
A solid album but also not a surprising one.
The fondness for schmaltz gets a bit overwhelming, and the album is only great in patches.
#4 | / | GQ [UK] |
#10 | / | The Observer: Kitty Empire |
#12 | / | Gaffa (Denmark) |
#16 | / | The Vinyl Factory |
#19 | / | The Line of Best Fit |
#20 | / | Clash |
#24 | / | The Independent |
#37 | / | NME |
/ | Esquire (UK) |