It’s been over a year since Giggs released his last mixtape Wamp 2 Dem, and we’ve been waiting (not so) patiently for more from the South East London rapper for a while. Following a cinematic album teaser trailer and a performance at the Beats By Dr Dre Brits after-party on Wednesday, the MC just dropped his fifth studio album Big Bad, with features from the likes of Ghetts, Lil Yachty, French Montana and Labrinth. It’s as gritty and intricate as ever – and we’re obsessed.
Check out the video for track “187” – featuring an already iconic giant Giggs…
Slowthai – “Peace of Mind”
2019’s set to be a big year for Northampton rapper Slowthai. Following a string of single releases throughout 2018 he dropped “Peace Of Mind” this week, a heavy-hitting track accompanied by an unhinged, Groundhog Day-style dream sequence video. Though the song’s instrumentals feel characteristically chaotic, with Slowthai’s delivery hostile and menacing, “Peace Of Mind” feels measured, purposeful and carefully put together.
The 24-year-old has also announced his debut album Nothing Great About Britain, due later this year. Stay tuned…
JW Ridley – “Glass Eyes”
Yesterday South London-based musician JW Ridley dropped “Glass Eyes”, a silky melancholic track inspired by a period of time of being heavily medicated as a teenager, accompanied by a blue-hued lyric video.
“When I was a teenager I was put on a lot of medication. Things briefly got better and then quickly much worse… I found myself living in a very private world completely disconnected”, he explains: “Glass eyes’ is made up of words I had written years ago when it all started, and some I wrote more recently having finally been able to come off it. It’s a song of two perspectives, a conversation/friction between two very different places.”
Collard – “Warrior Cry”
This week 24-year-old singer, songwriter and rapper Collard released “Warrior Cry”, a gentle, intricately produced track that flits between glassy percussion, spoken word and soothing, sensual barely-there vocals.
“Warrior cry is a very personal piece to me,” he explains: “It’s about feeling saved by a heroine and allowing myself to be completely vulnerable which as a man, and how I was raised I often stop myself from being. The song is a metaphoric journey my heroine has taken to save me from myself, and I welcome her whole-heartedly, white flags and all.”
Look out for the newcomer’s debut album, set for release in April.
Circa Waves – “Times Won’t Change Me”
This week we all celebrated our first taste of spring sunshine, soundtracked by our favourite Liverpool indie boys Circa Waves.
Suited and booted, the stripped-back video features the four-piece performing in the living room of a house, including their ever-charismatic frontman Kieran approaching the piano in a dressing gown – a fitting video for a song dedicated to staying #humble.
The playful, piano-led track is an exciting taster for their forthcoming third studio album What’s It Like Over There?, due on the 5th April.