Thread of Little Simz

As far as I can see this is the most across-the-board acclaimed album of the year, Kendrick endorsement etc etc.

Which is kind of funny to us old people because it is *exactly* the kind of British rap record that people used to disparage, but in London 2019 it seems to make perfect sense.

Anyway I have opinions on this record. Tell me yours.

You first!

OK fine. I think it's amazing. Now u

Also I've never been able to engage with any of her previous records but `101FM' is one of the best things I've heard this year.

OK I'll elaborate a bit. The distorted screams in 'Boss' are the most metal thing I've heard all year, 101FM is a bop, Venom feels like it is actually rising up to strike at your throat and Therapy, for all that it eloquently disses the therapeutic process (which I reckon still has a lot to offer young Simz), has this sort of gripping catatonic don't...need...therapy self-knowingness that turns it into a really, REALLY compelling confession. The rest of the album is great too and there's no filler. Might be my AOTYSF

What axis of rap for people who don't like rap overall that much does ilx skew towards?

― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Sunday, 28 July 2019 13:50 (two hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

this post feels apposite here. simz just isn't...something enough for ilx

How is there a Little Simz thread. . . and it has 5 posts?

'Grey Area' was pretty easily my album of the year last year (with the related two Sault LPs and the Michael Kiwanuka LP in my top 5--Inflo has to be the best producer going). Thought it was well-received?

Anyway:

Anyone care for a little EP from your girl?

— Little Simz (@LittleSimz) April 20, 2020

Only vaguely Simz-related but Cleo Sol (of 'Selfish' fame) has just put out a fairly gorgeous album - bit lush, bit pillowy, especially 'When I'm In Your Arms' and 'Young Love'.

https://cleosol.bandcamp.com

The Cleo Soul LP is lovely--and a grower. She's thought to be one of the key participants in the Sault albums, and Inflo (the Simz/Sault/Kiwanuka producer) clearly had a hand in several of the best tracks on the LP.

If there's anybody that liked 'Grey Area'--just run and put down the combined £14 for the two Sault albums on Bandcamp--guaranteed hits...

Completely missed the Cleo/Sault link - will return to those albums this week. They got a bit lost in the 2019 year-end shuffle.

(sorry Simz, this is your thread)

I dug all those 2019 records while remaining hopelessly vague re the links. I shall listen to this Cleo Soul thingy. Thanks.

Also: yay for new Simz!

Always amazed that this thread basically got ignored and then the album turned up pretty high in the EOY poll.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxfGQ2AJHGk

ok wow

lol, after all I compared her positively to DAVE, she's gone and turned into him

with a side-helping of Kae Tempest. yeesh

this is the kind of clunky, on-the-nose stuff that does nobody any good imo

admittedly good production but all in the service of UK schmaltz

the production is gorgeous i don't care if she's being corny lol

I wonder how Simz can afford a video with Circa 50 creatives/technicians, 16 actors and 8 dancers. I had the same thought when I saw the Black Midi video recently.

I'd like a version stripped of all that orchestral shit

xp my guess is uk public arts funding or something idk

More interested in track 2
...

01 Introvert
02 Woman [ft. Cleo Sol]

Back with Info. Awesome.

Inflo*

I like her music in a total package sense but dont find her as a rapper/lead artist that captivating.

This song is overwhelming. I can’t make up my mind but Inflo’s production is borderline genius. I think I might love this which is out of character for me because I usually hate maximalist orchestral arrangements - outside of classical music - because they tend to be corny but this is all done with great taste.

Second listen and just to confirm my initial listen: I absolutely love this.

I still haven’t paid attention to the lyrics but they flow great and wow and everything else.

yeah inflo's production adds a sense of restraint to what could just be ridiculous bombast, it's fantastic

orchestration/production on this is amazing - bombast without being overcooked, all these little undermining details that make it much finer

Agree 100%, it’s super tasteful.

It’s the sort of concept that would fail miserably in lesser hands. Inflo and Little Simz are next level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHGf6tmnLYE

now with cleo sol!

2 for 2 so far.

fantastic

new single feels more closely aligned with earlier Simz discography
but it sounds really good next to the other sumptuous stuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu2Lqpk4axg

still an Inflo production

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1WgRREdH68

four for four

After “Woman” I thought that I’d wait until the album to hear any more tracks from it but it’s still somehow two whole months away so maybe I’ll just dive on in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkt93coQzqg

tiny desk session, sounds great

also includes "Point and Kill" with Obongjayar from the new album, which hasn't been released yet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMDf0ZLWxI0

ah and here's the studio version

Love it!

album really delivers, inflo's range as a producer is pretty impressive

some of the interludes are pretty goofy though

i kept thinking "what's with the princess diana vocals on these interludes" and it turns out it's emma corrin doing them

I wish the entire B-side was afro-funk. My first impression is it's front-loaded, even if pleasant overall, no huge surprises after hearing track 1-2-4 except for Point and Kill, Fear no Man, and I guess the closer mainly because piano is such a perfect counterpoint to her voice. Still comes at the right time after I warmed up to Introvert considerably after finding it too grandiloquent.

Worth posting the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvY31eN3gtE
Point and Kill

It's interesting to see how vintage a view of Nigeria this is compared to afrobeats videos, even if of course it goes with the greater Kuti influences.

i like "protect my energy" a lot

Listening now. The production on the opening track is corny and overbearing and I kind of hate it. That insistent thudding string riff, the way it clumsily slows down and speeds up

Simz herself sounding great at least

That said there's something missing there too. Last album she sounded more dynamic, vital, desperate...

So.

i mean, that was predictable

Turns out making an album that screams GIVE ME THE MERCURY for 65 minutes can actually pay off, who knew

Well she certainly knows what she's doing on stage. Terrific performer, what a star.

NO THANK YOU, An Album By Little Simz

Pre-save https://t.co/pB5O1Xx9NK

Ready up.. pic.twitter.com/qFSwZUAO1c

— Little Simz (@LittleSimz) December 6, 2022

new album on the way already

Ooooooh.

Someone mentions 12/12 there, but I'm yet to spy any actual date elsewhere?!?

that's when the spotify presave says it will come out

long awaited follow up to Grey Area

seriously looking forward to this, ought to be some fun

Long awaited follow up to Grey Area? Does that mean she's going to be good again?

The short time since the big, important album I think suggests a lighter affair that those of us who preferred Grey Area may better appreciate ... yeah

Idk. Last one was such a thudding grab at Bigness and Importance that it's hard to imagine something subtler, but I'll wait to be surprised

too late in the year for grand statements

I'm choosing to believe it's a whole-album cover of Coaltar Of The Deepers

I'm hoping it's something she and Inflo/Sault crew bashed out first-thought-bwst-thought...

more of what the last album was doing but it doesn't have the goofy overarching concept and is better for it

Wonder if it's leftovers. Where'd you hear it? Found this anyways... produced by Inflo!

NO THANK YOU 12/12/22 ⏳

Artwork shot by Karolina Wielocha
Produced By Inflo

❤️‍🔥🖤 pic.twitter.com/xSCcEIuKhc

— Little Simz (@LittleSimz) December 10, 2022

it's the 12th here

After going to sleep to it then waking up to it (less than ideal conditions) I'm yet to hear the sort of instantly striking standouts the last two LPs offered. But yeah, it's relatively lean, smooth and non-goofy (and, with conspicuous Cleo Sol contributions etc, at least as Sault-y as ever) and I'm prepared to believe it's quite good.

I like how "Gorilla" is kinda sorta... old school boom bap!?

I'm on the first track and it sounds like Sault's long-awaited 6th album of the year

Or was it 7th

It's rather frontloaded, my favorites are probably the first two, title track, Heart on Fire. I don't really care for Broken (if that's supposed to be the centerpiece) and what's after.
I like that it hints at a collective album, but I'm not sure the warm and intimate soul is my favorite complement to Little Simz or that Inflo's at his most inspired.
Not a bad sequel but not very substantial.

Gorilla is great, one of my favorite things she's ever done

Absolutely love the production, can't see listening again to the songs anytime soon. :/

hey this is good!

this is pretty solid but it's a bit too one note until "who even cares" which is a welcome breath of fresh air. it's pretty good at the thing it does (late registration worship) but it doesn't move me idk

First couple of tracks are phenomenal but it really falls off after that

"far away" from the new ep is pretty good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ0OmBVoTJ4

It is indeed!

Yeah love that one