A maverick whose incredible range of style and mood have carved a ‘if you know, you know’ cult following, Walthamstow-raised creative LYAM is one of the most interesting and experimental names embedding themselves in London’s undergrowth. The artist has just unveiled a new album, THE ART OF LETTING GO!, a sprawling, captivating body of work. It is electric and eclectic in equal measure; marauding around generic characteristics are far ranging as post-punk to breakbeat, drill to off kilter-hip hop.
The featured cast is mouth-watering—an illustration of an impact and reputation that reaches far beyond the immediate UK underground circle—with appearances from the enigmatic John Glacier, South East London riser Jianbo, revered New York wordsmith Wiki, as well as production from Mura Masa, all elevating the body of work to new heights. A provoking and potent listen, clearly made by an artist with knowledge and know-how, Wonderland wanted to find out more about LYAM’s influences across the new project, and so asked him what he had On Repeat whist concocting the record.
Listen to THE ART OF LETTING GO!…
LYAM’s On Repeat…
Deki Alem – “Act Nice”
I had the pleasure of meeting this duo a year or two back through a good friend and fellow collaborator Ney Liqa. She had shown me Deki Alem a few months before going to see them live at the sebright arms and I have been hooked ever since. ”Act Nice” is an anthem! I love the grit yet slick boisterous energy it creates, it makes me feel like I’m in some sort of British gangster film, a perfect record to let your hair down to.
Ney Liqa – “Drifting”
Ney Liqa has played a big part in this coming record not just by her various contributions but unknowingly creating a safe space for me to have fun and experiment again. We had somewhat been going through the same thing which had inspired this coming album from myself and in turn blossomed a great friendship in and out of music. There’s so many records I love from her like “Snow Angel”, “Obnoxious” and “Power Trip” to name a few but this one in particular which I feature on with Tamim is super special to me! She had brought something out of me that had been suppressed by outside influences. From time to time I still go back to this song and remind myself that I am that guy who can do other things than just rap.
FFIÒNN – “BLISS IT OUT”
FFIÒNN is another long time collaborator who has contributed to this coming project. “BLISS IT OUT” is a personal fave of mine not just because he’s my guy but his clinical approach to how he creates his sonic pallet and the time he takes to make every facet of his record the best it can be, shows me you can’t rush greatness! The vocal production and melodies that he creates is extremely inspiring and he’s pioneering a sound that will drive a culture very soon. His flowers will come in abundance and I’ll be the one to forever sing his praises. Look out for him.
Odunsi (The Engine) – “N2P”
This record speaks so much volumes to me! I’ll be honest at a few points during the early stages of the creating my record, my mental health wasn’t at its best. I didn’t have much belief in myself and my back was against the wall a few times due to a range of unforeseen circumstances and negatives factors, but every-time I would play this record and hear the line “yeah you n***as ain’t got nothing on me back when you was fronting on me, now you wanna act like you know shit, desperate, desperate your desperate” on this infectious bouncy electronic afro swing vibe put the battery in my back to shit on anyone who played me and key moving forward regardless of those obstacles.
Wet – “Blades of Grass”
During the latter end of creating this record I had taken up yoga to help me release from the stresses of being an independent artist and for overall health reasons. I go to an amazing yoga class called Alon Agwa run by a friend in camberwell and the playlist used in the sessions inspired me to create a playlist to specifically accompany meditation, release and just having sonics to implore calm wether I’m commuting, working out or just relaxing. Upon searching for this specific feel of music I had come across this record from Wet and fell in love! the journey is magical from the beat change to the vocal edits but most of all the lyrics, it’s almost like she was narrating my thoughts and feelings during the making of my record so I connected with the track so much.
Young Spray – “Robbery Time”
By no means do I support what is being said in this track. But this record has been around me since college days! Young Spray is a well known hood legend from my area of Walthamstow and this track reminds me of where I’ve come from which I class a pre-gentrified stow. Let me state I ain’t no hood dude I don’t condone it but of course I have friends/ family members who have walked that part in life and luckily made it out, so I’ve been around it. This song specifically puts me in a head space when I need some aggression passion and a hint of rage to pass through me. There’s something about the energy this song convey that puts me in unapologetic headspace and really accompanied me in being more raw and in your face with the music from the coming album.