Hopefully＜Clear Vinyl＞

On 2022s Hugo, Loyle Carners most acclaimed album to date, the U.K. rapper reflected on fatherhood, sobriety, identity, and his struggles with ADHD and dyslexia. On the follow-up effort, hopefully !, he continues to address introspective themes while updating and streamlining his sound. He plays more of a role as producer on this album, and instead of rhyming over beats and samples, he leads a band playing a sort of moody indie rock that would feel more appropriate at a small, intimate gig than on a big stage. His conversational tone is a bit more melodic than before, with a few songs containing sung choruses. Opener "Feel at Home" has mellow, jazzy keyboards and busy, breakbeat-like snares, and other songs like "All I Need" are more open, triumphant expansions on this style. "In My Mind" is a brooding trudge reminiscent of King Krule. Carner acknowledges the changes in his life during "Time to Go" and laments feelings of alienation on the slow, strummy "Strangers." Still, theres more optimistic material such as "Hopefully," which concludes with a spoken passage by the late Benjamin Zephaniah, and "About Time," a patient resolution that frequently features the voice of Carners son. Elsewhere, Navy Blue drops by for a determined guest verse on the more spiritual "Purpose," and Nick Hakim provides a gentle, sympathetic chorus on the hazy, drifting "Dont Fix It." Carner and his band create a warm, comforting sound on hopefully !, reflecting on lifes trials but ultimately remaining confident and ready for the future. ~ Paul Simpson

『Hugo』が2023年度のマーキュリー・プライズにノミネートされるなど、批評/商業面で成功を得ているサウス・ロンドン出身のラッパーによる4枚目のアルバム。ジャジーなヒップホップというこれまでの軸を保ちつつ、ドラムンベースのリズムが刻まれる"feel at home"といった音楽性の拡張に挑む曲が並んでいる。自身も"in my mind"では歌唱を披露するなど、ラップ以外の表現に積極的だ。父親としてみずからの子ども2人に希望を見つつ、だが人類は優しいのだろうか?と考える表題曲を筆頭に、日常の視点から社会に疑問を投げかける視座は深みを増している。
bounce (C)近藤真弥