onsdag 4 Apr 2007, 2:20

I'll save my fuller thoughts on Dizzee Rascal's previous albums for my review of Maths and English, but to summarize: 2003's largely self-produced Boy In Da Corner was stellar, but the more varied 2004 follow-up Showtime was less gripping, less immediate.

Now we're entering the orbit of Maths and English's June 4th release date. So far, I'm excited. First we saw a video of Dizzee performing a track called "The Industry." It's like Dream but without the charm; perhaps useful and, strictly speaking, inspired, but also not at all interesting.

Then there was a low-quality mp3 of a live performance of "Wasteman." Good flow, slightly flat delivery; though Jay-Z has also sometimes sounded flatter live than on wax. From what you can make out of the music, it sounds edgy and not too claustrophobic. Good enough.

Then a song called "Pussy'ole" leaked via Diplo. It uses the same sample as It Takes Two. I figured this was the track's death warrant: somewhere deep down, I still think Dizzee should be rapping over the hardest, grimiest beats out there. But this track, which adds synths and sirens to the sample, works well. Given Dizzee's inevitable departure from his original "Dizzee rhymes on Dizzee beats" formula, this track is significant: alongside Dream and Lucky Star, it shows that Dizzee can really work on a variety of tracks.

Finally, we have a video for the first single, "Sirens," off the upcoming album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsjFMw5tESY
This is exactly what we want from you, Dizzee: hot flow, killer beats, adventurous videos, likeability, crossover potential. Keep it coming.

A track-by-track review of the new album is available here.