Stanisland Magazine

The UK’s most well-known rapper tries new formula but has trouble getting used to it

Last updated: 19th June 2025

VERDICT:

‘Stormzy’ is back with a new album. Few UK rappers are known across the world with most forced out by overwhelming American hip-hop budgets.

The rapper has been an ambassador for UK music to the world from within the scene.

When we heard ‘Mel Made Me Do It’, there was anticipation for something truly special on the horizon. Stormzy’s latest outing sees him tryout for a brace of R&B against a backdrop of grime vocals. But little happens.

Though it starts out on an interesting note, the album struggles for identity, with much of its artistry lacking variety.

‘A for effort’ comes to mind, as much of this album is filled with difficult listens and off-key attempts at singing. With a done to death autotune present the dead horse gets beaten again.

Even when Sampha enters the fray on ‘Sampha’s plea’ his vocal performance lets itself down. Aside from a few bangers, like its title track and ‘All my presidents’, it’s a low effort compared to prior works with a sense of clout chasing initiated by personal motivations.

Stormzy fans will like it, but there is nothing here to lure the uninitiated and a good effort is let down by inexperience for a new style. In the end, the writing is cliche and its deliveries have been executed so many times before. I’m sure the rapper will get by on his name alone, but there are other releases to be impressed by and devote your attention to right now.