British rapper Little Simz dropped her latest studio album, “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert,” on Sept. 3. Since this album’s release I’ve seen praise from many of my favorite music TikTokers, and after listening to it myself, I can say that it definitely lives up to the hype.
“Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” strikes a great balance between two very different sounds: movie soundtrack music and old school hip-hop. The album’s first song, “Introvert,” begins with battle drums and regal brass instruments; one could believe it was composed by Hans Zimmer. Immediately after, “Woman” has a very laid back drumbeat, with a whirly organ and soulful voices in the background; it feels like something off of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
The most prominent sound is that of old school hip-hop, with songs like “Two Worlds Apart,” “Little Q, Pt. 2” and “Protect My Energy.” These songs are filled with soul samples, complex basslines, gospel choirs and pianos. On the other hand, the interludes peppered throughout, such as “Gems,” “The Rapper That Came To Tea” and “The Garden” have angelic strings, flutes and little percussion, similar to the scores of classic black-and-white Hollywood movies.
Little Simz does really well with both sounds. Her impeccable flow pairs perfectly with the old school beats, highlighting her skills as a rapper. On the interludes, she speaks with a royal quality over the majestic orchestral arrangements, adding to the cinematic feeling.
The only song that moves away from these two sounds is “Rollin Stone,” which feels more like a modern rap song with its hard hitting basses and industrial percussion. While it’s a great song, it feels out of place in the album as a whole.
Occasionally, the transition between these two styles is a little jarring, since the old school sound tends to be noticeably faster. “Standing Ovation” has some great lyricism and a really cool beat, but I don’t like how it goes back and forth between tempos. However, this abrupt shift in tempos was only noticeable in a few songs.
With soulful, and sometimes downright gorgeous, production, delivery and an overall cinematic feel, Little Simz delivers a wonderful listening experience that takes listeners back to a simpler time.
I’m glad that she’s getting more recognition as an artist now that her songs are filtering through TikTok. With all of the new praise, I’m excited to see where it takes her in the future.
FAVORITES:
INTROVERT, I LOVE YOU I HATE
YOU, HOW DID YOU GET HERE
LEAST FAVORITES:
STANDING OVATION
RATING: 9/10
