EDNA

On Teach Me, Tottenhams Headie One kicks things off with his usual flair. Over the bleak sonics of Londons drill scene, the rapper gives a calculated account of trap and rap dominance, coldly lamenting his youngers inability to see the bigger picture. But just a minute in, things take a dark turn: Somebody call God for me, tell him this is daylight robbery the rapper belts with uncharacteristic despair, warping basses bleating and blaring in the background. What follows is a cutting tale of discovery, psychology, and family pain: Pa was struggling to cope with me, he started to wish he aborted me/Harry tried everything, even tried therapy, could never tell what was wrong with me. Introspection has always been an undercurrent of Headies work, but on EDNA it manifests in full capacity. Named after his late mother, the rappers debut album is both a reflection of his life and of his career, paying homage to his diverse sonic palette while offering lyrical insight into his journey thus far. The albums cover, featuring a monochrome Headie looking contemplatively at his birth tag, sets the tone succinctly; theres a fundamental weight here, a completeness of identity not quite realized thus far. Musically, EDNA is set out like a banquet of the rappers work, tapping every style in the scene for a comprehensive portfolio of his career. While a little light on his drill origins -- Triple Science should prove a favorite for early fans -- the project compiles trap, rap, drill, and more in a surprisingly varied affair. The sheer variety on offer could run a risk of jarring, but the projects sequencing is impeccable; were transported from complete vulnerability to floor-shuddering anthems without as much as a hitch. If Music X Road was the sound of Headie expanding his repertoire, then EDNA is the sound of its mastery. Elevated by nuanced lyricism and layered production, each of Headies previous styles is lifted and polished: Hear No Evil perfects the rappers strain of aggressive trap, Try Me is All Day with double the chest-thump, and Parlez-Vous Anglais adds a classy dimension to Headz and Aitchs back-to-back bars. Bound to no compromises, every song does what it says on the tin, and then some. When guests arrive, Headie welcomes them with familiar sonics: M Huncho and Young Adz are right at home on trapwave fusions, Young T & Bugsey and Aitch let the braggadocio shine on radio-primed anthems, and Mahalia and Haile land smoothly on the projects softer cuts. Even overseas stars meld firmly into the U.K. sound, with Drakes Only You Freestyle and Futures Hear No Evil verses paying impressive homage to the local scene. The resulting project is Headies most complete and compelling set to date. Pulling out all the stops for an expansive statement of self, in EDNA the Tottenham great provides an impeccable portfolio of his varied sonics, concretizing his place among Londons finest. ~ David Crone

2020年のUKシーンを代表する最重要傑作が知らないうちにフィジカル化されていたのでいまさらご紹介。たびたび投獄されながら多くのミックステープがUKドリルの範疇で人気を集め、19年の『Music x Road』やストームジーの"Audacity"を通じて一段上のステージに上がってきたロンドン出身のヘディ・ワン。抜け目ないドレイクさんとの"Only You Freestyle"、AJトレイシー&ストームジーを迎えた"Ain't It Different"といったビッグ・ヒットを収め、亡き母親の名前を冠したこのファースト・アルバムは初登場で全英No.1に輝いている。ハードなドリル～グライムの路上感と不穏な落ち着きを纏ったギャングスタな魅力は全開で、ケニー・ビーツやスケプタ、マハリアらとのコラボも交えた重厚な聴き応えの一作だ。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ