Live Review: We're calling it early, Little Simz has the album of the year and it's not even out yet

Little Simz is gearing up to release her forthcoming album, "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" set to release on the 3rd of September. In the rollout she's released 4 singles, "Introvert", "Woman (featuring Cleo Sol)", "Rollin Stone" and most recently, "I Love You, I Hate You". It's gearing up to be an absolute epic album, with the singles all combining to create a tight narrative of their own. They create a series of deeply personal sonic vignettes into the recent reflection Simz has undertaken on her upbringing and current positioning as an artist.

If there's anyone to trust with providing an exceptional body of work based on just the singles it's Little Simz. Her 2019 album, 'GREY Area' was a coming of age tale, detailing Simz's navigation of the grey areas in her life. With the project she tackled a quarter life crisis at 25 and through the disorientation created a body of work that showcased her growth as both a rapper and songwriter. With that in mind, we're calling it early, that Little Simz will have the album of the year and it's not even out yet.

Little Simz opened the album rollout for '"Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" with "Introvert". A 6 minute call to arms. With it, she soldified herself as no longer a growing voice in the global hip-hop scene, but a force to be reckoned with. With it she sways between personal issues and global issues, both intertwining elegantly through her wordplay.

Then came 'Woman" with singer Cleo Sol. ‘Woman’ is a soulful love letter to women around the world. Laid back drums, soulful chords and Cleo Sol’s perfectly ghostly guest vocals lay the bed for Little Simz clever wordplay and introspective bars. Consistently stellar lines set the scene throughout every verse cleverly painting the ethos of the track in a seemingly unforced yet provoking way.

Simz then flipped the introspective switch, releasing 'Rollin Stone'. With it, she delivers the message of her importance in the global rap game via her trademark speedy raps over an experimental breaky beat. While braggadocious in nature, she credits her skills and hard work to get to the position that she’s in. It’s another reason to get even more keen for her forthcoming album, ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’

Most recently she showcased "I Love You, I Hate You". It's the best and most intimate single from the forthcoming record, ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’. The track is as haunting as it is beautiful and sees the artist lay herself bare on a record like never before. Boiling guitar riffs, massive string sections and a chopped vocal lay the platform for Simz to do her work across all feelings of sorrow, anger and importantly resolutions.

Right now the title of Album of the Year is looking like a four horse race between Genesis Owusu, Tyler, The Creator, Little Simz and the highly anticipated, 'jamie' from B Wise.

Image via Nwaka Okparaeke

Words by PARRY TRITSINIOTIS

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