Stormzy – Heavy Is the Head (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 53:53 minutes | 595 MB | Genre: Rap
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front cover | © Atlantic Records UK
Following the release of ‘Gang Signs and Prayer’ (2017), his award-winning, platinum-selling debut album, Stormzy may no longer be stepping between the street and the sermon, but he’s still walking between two worlds: that of the celebrity and of the everyman. His desire to stay grounded is evident; as his career continues to soar, he seems more and more determined to help others reach new heights of their own. Features the singles ‘Crown’, ‘Vossi Bop’ and ‘Wiley Flow’.
The title sends a clear message. Head bowed, with a heavy crown, eyes fixed on the bulletproof vest designed by Banksy which defined his iconic headline performance at Glastonbury, one thing is for certain: Stormzy has reclaimed a painful throne. His kingdom is that of politically charged grime music, protesting social injustice, often in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. With his second album, the artist born Michael Omari, only 24 years old, punctuates an eventful year for the United Kingdom. It’s no surprise that Heavy Is The Head draws on a wide range of guest stars to ensure a mix of R&B, grime and pop, much like its predecessor Gang Signs & Prayers (2017). Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy enrich the catchy radio-friendly Own It, H.E.R. features on One Second as YEBBA does on Don’t Forget to Breathe. This album sees Stormzy explore a more introspective side to himself (a surprising contrast to some of his previous material), like Lessons which broaches the subject of his very public breakup with Maya Jama. The Croydon MC does not however lose sight of his album’s main objective. With a few nods to the masters of the genre (Wiley Flow, Bronze), Stormzy charges his opus with bangers powered by inescapable beats: if Audacity with Headie One is there to usher in a new generation of rappers, the art of using the right formula of rhymes and beats to drive home a liberal political message is the MO on Vossi Bop (see the huge crowd at Glastonbury singing back the lyrics “I could never die, I’m Chuck Norris/Fuck the government and fuck Boris”). With Shut Up and its millions of views on YouTube, Stormzy had already laid the groundwork for making grime mainstream in 2015, but now it’s a fact. – Charlotte Saintoin
Tracklist:
01. Big Michael
02. Audacity (feat. Headie One)
03. Crown
04. Rainfall (feat. Tiana Major9)
05. Rachael’s Little Brother
06. Handsome
07. Do Better
08. Don’t Forget to Breathe (feat. YEBBA) [Interlude]
09. One Second (feat. H.E.R.)
10. Pop Boy (feat. Aitch)
11. Own It (feat. Ed Sheeran & Burna Boy)
12. Wiley Flow
13. Bronze
14. Superheroes
15. Lessons
16. Vossi Bop
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