1001 Albums Summary

Some great beats (lots of grimy blips and bloops), interesting samples and hooky moments, but - apologies, as an American rap fan - suffers from a periodic case of British. Skepta has a conversational approach to lyric writing which works sometimes, but there are times where he is chasing the flow rather than being carried by it. Second half tightens up and feels more fully developed. For me, a 2/5. Interesting, but just not my genre and likely won’t revisit. Highlights: numbers, that’s not me

Wildly tight, dancy percussion, fun horns and political commentary. Feels fresh, while deeply rooted in the basics of ska, soul, blues. All this, and never once gave me the Skip Button Itch. I couldn’t ask for much more. Made in a lab to play in the background of your favorite crowded bar. Highlights: hateful, lost in the supermarket, guns of brixton, koka kola