Albums
What’s happened to hip hop of late? It seems to have been invaded by a bunch of whiney metrosexuals spouting heart-on-sleeve lyrics. This debut from Tinie Tempah producer Labrinth sits comfortably in the Kanye West school of autotuned mid-youth crisis, yet this album isn’t without merit. ‘Climb On Board’ is r’n’b balladry that packs a punch, while ‘Earthquake’ has the same combination of pop sensibility and edge that made ‘Pass Out’ so irresistible. While at times this album does soar, Labrinth ploughing through classics like ‘Express Yourself’ suggests the tank was only half full when it came to inspiration.
File under Hip hop with a crisis of masculinity
Download ‘Climb On Board’, ‘Earthquake’
Like this? Try Frank Ocean ‘Nostalgia, Ultra’ (frankocean.tumblr.com)
