Sclitch

Dizzee Rascal made an unbelievably strong statement with his debut album, helping to pioneer a genre which has since seen major success and seamless integration into UK culture.

The album is innovative, energetic and relentless. Sonically, it has a very muddy and gritty production style, driven by aggressive percussion and bass, which complements Dizzee's vocals and melodies very well. Easily one of the most impactful projects in the grime genre.

Most of Ferraro's early output consists of this very lo-fi and noisy style, but this album really sticks out. It is one of the most otherworldly things I've probably ever listened to, and I can't quite understand why I even like it. This guy is a musical prodigy who needs more recognition.

This is one of those albums that I just find absolutely extraordinary and even I have no idea why.

The record is so eclectic, bubbly and impactful that every song, even the weaker tracks, just completely captivate me. The production quality is simply outstanding, and helps push these songs into territory which they have no right to belong in, but who cares? Phenomenal album, in my opinion, and the best album Hudson Mohawke has ever produced for not just himself, but for anyone.

If this isn't the pinnacle of dream pop, I'm not sure what else to suggest. Perfectly crafted songs which are simple in their own special way, and somehow all feel relatable. Souvlaki is an escape, where I genuinely feel like I connect with the music on a personal level, and I think this is what makes the album so special for me. Not to mention the musical content itself; the soft guitars, reverberation and casual vocals make for an extraordinary journey.