Ugly＜Colored Vinyl＞

Compared to his politically focused debut album, U.K. rapper slowthais chart-topping second full-length TYRON was a far more personal effort, reflecting on his complex personality by dividing the track listing into more aggressive tracks with capitalized titles, then saving more vulnerable, confessional material for the lower-case second half. UGLY, his third album, is even rawer and more cathartic than his previous work, with the bracing first song "Yum" essentially functioning as a primal scream therapy session set to pummeling industrial techno beats. Aside from "Yum," UGLY mainly consists of guitar-driven tracks with live drums, sounding far more influenced by punk and alternative rock than rap, and having almost nothing to do with grime or drill. The album was produced by Speedy Wunderground founder Dan Carey and its cast of musicians includes Kwes Darko (Blue Daisy), Taylor Skye (Jockstrap), and guitarist Jacob Bugden (Beabadoobee). Tense, paranoid songs like "Selfish" and the brief but brutal "Fuck It Puppet" find slowthai at war with himself, facing voices in his head that discourage him and push him down the path to self-destruction. "Sooner" has a rousing rhythm influenced by mod and Northern soul, and a chorus by indie singer/songwriter Ethan P. Flynn. This and the following "Feel Good" are the albums giddiest moments, celebrating life despite all the forces that can bring one down. Fontaines D.C. back slowthai for the surprisingly shoegazey "UGLY" (an acronym for "U Gotta Love Yourself"), a whirlwind of hazy guitars and rushing thoughts which climaxes with the words "You are not in control the moment the world stands still." "Wotz funny" returns to the more narrative-driven style of previous slowthai punk songs like "Doorman," while "Tourniquet" contrasts soft, brooding pianos with harsh shouting. UGLY is less of a major stylistic shift than it might seem, as slowthai harnesses his punkish energy in a way that seems natural and fitting. Its clearly a challenging, confrontational album, but it also feels like the artists purest expression yet. ~ Paul Simpson

ノーサンプトン出身の人気ラッパー、スロウタイがサード・アルバムをリリース。本作は過去作でも見られたロックやパンクの要素をより顕著な形で示す作品だ。自分の心を大切にしようと歌う"Selfish"ではメタル風の激しいサウンドが響きわたり、"Feel Good"の歯切れが良いギター・カッティングは初期のフランツ・フェルディナンドを想起させる。ダン・キャリーやセガ・ボデガといった面々が参加した音作りもおもしろい。先述のロックとパンクの要素に加え、ヘヴィーなインダストリアル・サウンドを取り込むなど、アンダーグラウンドなUKダンス・ミュージックに通じる音も聴こえる。
bounce (C)近藤真弥