This Is What I Mean

Stormzys second album, Heavy Is the Head, addressed his status as the leading figure in the grime revival as well as his position as one of Britains biggest pop stars, period. This Is What I Mean is his third full-length, and its a much more personal affair which seems unconcerned with producing chart hits or club anthems. He recorded the album during a retreat to the private Osea Island in England, where he held music camps with several other musicians, producers, and writers. The songs are more intimate and confessional than Stormzys past work, and hes an artist whos never been afraid to write from the heart or reflect his faith on his albums. None of the songs on This Is What I Mean can be categorized as grime. There are barely any hard, angular beats and Stormzy doesnt raise his voice or beat his chest. The album takes its time to unfold, with drums appearing four minutes into the eight-minute opening suite "Fire + Water." "This Is What I Mean" is a bit more aggressive, but also highly ambitious, with a full string section and busy choral arrangements. "Firebabe" is quite an unassuming single, with Stormzys soft singing and romantic lyrics backed by mellow keyboards. "Need You" is a simmering Afrobeats heater with a touch of trumpet and amapiano bass, and first single "Hide & Seek" is a more yearning confession with a haunting chorus. Stormzys collaborators, including Jacob Collier and producers such as P2J, Tendai, and Prgrshn, play a major role in shaping the album, and he lets other vocalists take the lead during several moments. "Samphas Plea" is just that, without a trace of Stormzy to be heard, and most of "Give It to the Water" is sung by Debbie Ehirim, who graces several other songs on the album. The more political "My Presidents Are Black" features a choir at the end, and the arrangements on many of the songs maintain a similar church-like feel. The albums themes generally concern hope, forgiveness, and redemption, with songs like the India Arie-assisted "I Got My Smile Back" describing how Stormzy found inspiration and overcame depression. ~ Paul Simpson

成功を極めた『Heavy Is The Head』(2019年)から3年、現行UKラップの王者が英デフ・ジャムに移籍しての3作目は、売れっ子のP2JとPRGRSHNを軸にした制作陣入れ替え以上のスタイル変化に挑んだ意欲作だ。柔和なアフロビーツ"Hide & Seek"や朴訥と歌う"Firebabe"という先行曲から予想できたように、従来型の重たいラップ曲はアマレイらを迎えた"This Is What I Mean"ぐらい。ピアノや弦、ジェイコブ・コリアーやサンファ(独唱のインタールードまである)らの荘厳なコーラスを随所に配した静謐な作風が全編を通底し、シーラ・モーリス・グレイやインディア・アリーら意外な名前の彩色も光る。成熟というよりは音楽的な進化への野心が頼もしい好盤で、3連続で堂々の全英No.1を獲得済み。
bounce (C)出嶌孝次