Stormzy Unlocks Third Studio Album ‘This Is What I Mean’

Stormzy.

Over the course of his expansive, heartfelt, and defiantly sprawling new album, the BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winning Stormzy has delivered a potential classic; effortlessly condensing any number of disparate styles and genres into music that bravely broaches any gap between modern Black British music, soul and hip-hop.

Executively produced by British producer PRGRSHN, the album includes the top 10 single ‘Hide & Seek’; an emotive, soulful, and ethereal offering, and his latest release ‘Firebabe’; a beautifully delicate and deeply touching sound. An array of incredible musicians are also scattered throughout the record including vocal appearances from the likes of Sampha, Jacob Collier, Debbie, and more.

A bold and courageous leap forward from his critically acclaimed previous two #1 records, ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’ and ‘Heavy Is The Head’, this isn’t music simply for the pop charts but rather, an intimate and sincere love letter to music. He speaks on forgiving his absent father on the mellifluous ‘Please’ and refers to his challenges with paranoia, depression, and self-doubt on the penultimate track, ‘I Got My Smile Back’ – which also features a guest vocal from incomparable India.Arie. It’s a record that showcases intensely personal and lyrical themes which in turn lay bare the vulnerabilities, regret, frailties, healing, joy, and triumph in a manner and to an extent that reframes the notion of what rap artists traditionally might do and be.

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