Album number five, No Thank You, is a moment for pause, a frank examination of where Little Simz currently finds herself. The brisk London accent, a 90s cadence occasionally instrumentally aligning in tone and temperament, this was a keen fit for my tastes. Its strength however, is Simz' lyrical journey. Often rhymed simple and plain, among other topics she mostly grapples with the record industry, attacking the subject from many angles, never running out of steam in the thorough process.
Wording tales of industry woes, systemic issues and ill intended individuals, an unsurprising yet deeply engaging narrative of her struggles emerges. As the theme resurfaces, each iteration serves a new purpose. Personal distress, advice for fellow musicians, how its impacted family relations. Even turning the question on herself, Simz' questions her own motives and wants as a performer allured by the industry.
Toning down the instrumental theatrics heard boldly on Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, grandiose string sections, warm ruptures of infectious Gospel, shades of Funk and Jazz. They come subtly woven into an apt chemistry for rhyme and beat to house the subject at hand. Gorilla stands out as a fun throwback to the early nineties groove of The Low End Theory. She pivots to breezy rhymes and playful swagger in cheeky yet firm style. Its a lighter, fun track among a lot of serious, expressive topics.
With every spin I've been locked in and invested. Peaking with the pained Broken, its ending somewhat fumbles. Sideways' instrumental a tad too minimal and obnoxious, followed by an odd dreamy synth stint Who Even Cares. Seems like a couple of cuts that didn't fit were squeezed in. Also interesting, the album didn't chart well. It went under my radar for a while too, hence why I'm late to this one. Given the subject matter explored here, it seems Simz moved label for more creative freedom. This effort definitely reflects a change in attitude. Doing it for oneself, with nothing to prove.
Rating: 8/10