A stunning debut from one of the best voices in UK rap.
Whilst this is a debut album, Joe James has been releasing music for over a decade, initially ripping off backing tracks and putting his own bars over the top and releasing on places like SoundCloud. Whilst he isn’t a household name yet, in the manner of AJ Tracey or Stormzy, this is an artist you need on your radar. One look at the list of collaborators on this album tells you this is a hugely respected artist, a thoughtful and incisive writer. You don’t get Dave, Loyle Carner, Hak Baker and Lancey Foux all to turn up without being a special talent.
This is not a club album, it is not an upbeat party album. This is all about introspective truth, holding a mirror to reality, exploring and picking away at difficult thoughts in the corner of your mind. There is a strong jazz influence on the music, the beats are chilled. You can feel the influence of James Blake’s style as well. There are a wide range of producers involved, though the end product has a really cohesive feel. Previously he has shown an ability to work within grime, drill and most other rap subgenres you can think of. Whilst the flow matches the laid back backing James packs in all sorts of observations. ‘Back Together’ is an extraordinary four minute story where James brings us up to speed on much of his life so far. ‘Papercuts’ is equally striking with its exploration of the effect of money, having it and not having it.
Hak Baker is the first big name to pop up on the blissed out worry of ‘Waterloo.’ Lancey Foux appears on the proper rap duet ‘OBE.’ ‘Ignorance Was Never Bliss’ could easily sit on one of Loyle Carner’s own albums. Dave sprinkles his usual magic across the end of ‘Same Emotions.’
This album will appeal to anyone who likes their rap with a more soulful, thoughtful vibe. In a few years time I would be stunned if James’ isn’t being spoken of in the same breath as Dave, Stormzy, Aitch, AJ Tracey and Loyle Carner as a frontrunner of the UK rap scene. Any fan of Dave or Loyle Carner is going to seriously enjoy this one.
Essential Tracks: ‘Back Together,’ ‘Papercuts,’ ‘Waterloo,’ ‘Never Ends,’ ‘Ignorance Was Never Bliss’ and ‘Same Emotions.’
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