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February AOTM #1: Sometimes I Might be Introvert by Little Simz

Writer's picture: Paul TaylorPaul Taylor

Album of the Month: Sometimes I Might be Introvert - Little Simz



Sometimes I Might be Introvert and Little Simzs' work stand just about all alone in it's Orchestral Hip Hop micro-genre. But it's one I wish was far, far more common. The records wide-spread use of string arrangements and swelling horns give a grandiose atmosphere, and help sell Simz's lyrics about social expectations. Few other hip hop albums land on a similar sound. It's a bit reminiscent of Guru's Jazzmatazz and Madlib's Shades of Blue for how it feels that the instrumental parts could genuinely stand on their own. They serve to do more than just provide a backing for Simz herself, creating a very strong sound-scape. This is made abundantly clear on the opener "Introvert", an enormous, epic of a track. It sets a high bar for the record, with soaring orchestral elements, a diverse vocal part from Simz and compounding percussion elements leading the song to a huge conclusion.


Introvert (and other Little Simz projects) is produced by long-time Cleo-Sol and Michael Kiwanuka producer Inflo. And this experience with grand soul music also worms its way into the record. Part of this certainly is the excellent percussion put together for the album. Built from relatively simple but very lively drum parts, moving in and out of focus and syncopated. Inflo's production builds a similar lush atmosphere to something like Kiwanuka's Love & Hate, exceptionally smooth and bright but with a slight edge. For Kiwanuka it usually manifests in melancholy, but with Simz it's a bit of rebellious, manic confidence.


Beyond the production there's the performance put on by Little Simz's herself, which predictably fails to disappoint. Her lines are biting, oozing confidence but generally very relaxed. She raps like she knows what she's saying is indisputable fact, her lines flow from her naturally like breathing. Moving from obtuse rhyming and stuttering percussive bars she uses all the tools in her kit. This may be best demonstrated on "Two Worlds Apart", particularly her blazing fast, sure-footed yet clumsy run near the end of the track.

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