slowthai - TYRON

February 12, 2021 - Method

Why are these snares so wet? “What’s money with no time?” What’s the next best thing since electric? Does he mean electric vehicles? Is the Pyramid Stage the Best Stage? Who thought water beds were a good idea? Why is this project split into two disks? 

Not all questions this time. Tyron Kaymone Frampton aka slowthai is back with his sophomore studio album, TYRON. Frampton charts a path through inner demons, current state of the world, mental health, and life as he sees it. There’s notable growth from 2019’s Nothing Great About Britain, but perhaps more importantly there’s a boost in confidence. The first half of the project contains much of the instrumental weight here, heavy hitting trap/rap/grime beats on tracks like ‘CANCELLED,’ ‘VEX,’ and ‘WOT.’ The verses from Frampton and his guests also come across raw and unrefined. This treatment pairs well with the production, with various beat switches and thicc sub frequencies creating a very rough and ready energetic atmosphere. 

The second half of TYRON sees Frampton turn inward a little more directly, with deeper, personal lyrics taking center stage and a more subtle round of instrumentals. Tracks explore family issues, missing the ones we love, the NHS, and the way the past 12 months have been handled. The urgency that Frampton imparts in his voice, whether when he’s rap-shouting or speaking more generally really works to drive his music home. It doesn’t feel forced, it doesn’t feel like a gimmick. It feels real, it feels like movement, it feels like growth. 🍍