The thoroughly innovative and constantly meandering piece of hip-hop from Shai Sevin is a journey into a unique subset of UK hip-hop, driven by wavy beats and ever changing flow patterns. The five act release is his most innovative and experimental work to date, with both production and lyrics to riff off each other. It’s an experiment in pyro techniques, loaded with constant highs and lows that burn fast and strong before giving way to more melodic elements. Combining the old school with the new, it finds strength in its eclecticism.
From the very first track, ‘Win Doe’, the production feels like you’re being sucked into a wormhole, a tunnel that relentlessly has you falling further and further in. It’s thundering, an anthemic opening for a hip-hop record. Sevin’s cold and dark flow jumps over the beat with ease. There’s a slight pitter patter in the beat, cascading around. An undeniable influence from artist like Giggs comes through as well. ‘Clowns’ is more frenetic, an anxiety inducing beat where Sevin infrequently interjects with a ominous flow. With synth work that envelopes it in entirety, and a haunting laugh track in the background, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the soundtrack of IT.
My personal favourite from the album comes towards the end in the three track run from ‘The Purge’ to ‘Too Late’. The former is absolutely overwhelming, filled with lyrical depth and political references. Sevin is distinct amongst his contemporaries, far removed from the standard beats and flows that we’ve come to expect. It’s keenly experimental, bringing a host of innovation in his delivery and his soundscapes to life with an aggression and imagination that’s a result of his own concoctions.
Fans of UK hip-hop rejoice, there’s a new contender for the throne.