slowthai - TYRON Review

IMPARTING SENSITIVITY FROM A HARD-NOSED AGGRESSOR

Despite my general enjoyment of Nothing Great About Britain, I can't lie; Apart from 'Doorman,' nothing has stuck with me. Perhaps, in retrospect, it was the muddled confusion on who slowthai wanted to be. Features with Gorillaz, Disclosure, and Flume gave some clarity; a zany druggie tethered and tempered by internal conflicts. The distinct, two-disc duality on TYRON effectively separates slowthai's paradoxical halves, while cementing that each is necessary to fill the whole. Regrettably so, this is an all-too common evolution of Hip-Hop in the past few years, as we've seen through Brockhampton ('nhs'), Tyler The Creator ('i tried'), even A$AP Rocky's latest effort Testing ('PLAY WITH FIRE'), leaving slowthai's original identity to wither against a backdrop of generational shifts. Nevertheless, TYRON still entertains throughout, with a concise tracklist that speed-runs through decisive Trap ('45 SMOKE,' 'WOT') while embellishing his troubled undertones ('focus,' 'push').

As most would attest, the second half handedly eclipses the first. A necessary evil, the ALL CAPS efforts strive for radio play while sealing the notion that slowthai's a fierce street savage whose energy and tenacity knows no bounds. None outright miss the mark, though 'VEX' and 'DEAD' get lost in the flurry, reminiscent of Denzel Curry's early Memphis Rap days with Lil Ugly Mane. The frantic pacing is a delight though. Blink and you'll miss the first seven. Open your eyes again and suddenly you're greeted by heartwarming Soul samples and impassioned lyrics both astute and visceral. Only 'terms' cowers behind the flock, with a dated hook sung sluggishly by Dominic Fike. Every other track is borderline necessary. 'push' finds a lovely balance between Hip-Hop and Indie Folk, finding common ground in a tender heart. 'feel away' is slowthai's most mature effort to date, incorporating James Blake's languished vocals exquisitely, while 'adhd' finishes TYRON by merging the two halves. Slow and meandering, ominous and declarative, it's a rightful closer that's cut ashamedly short. Still, this transition to slight sophistication may prove vital in continuing slowthai's career past a mere flash in the pan.