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

Rovi