This Is What I Mean - Stormzy: Review
has spent the past 5 years becoming one of the definitive voices in British rap music. With both hit songs and critical acclaim on both of his first two records, This Is What I Mean was highly anticipated by fans and critics despite a somewhat lukewarm reception to its first two singles. They forecasted a significant shift to more meditative, reserved, and emotional music which the album reflects.
Review by Lav:
After not being crazy about Stormzy's debut album, I thought his sophomore effort was a big improvement that showed him to be a better lyricist than I had previously thought and also capable of making some bangers. That's sort of why I was caught off guard by the pivot he took on the two singles from this record for a sound that a lot of people haven't loved. But you know me I'm not afraid of a big artistic swing and I made my feelings towards both of the singles pretty clear, I like them. And while this record is far from perfect a lot of what I liked about the singles and more shows up here and makes for a pretty quality listen.
Let's knock them out while they're here, I like both of the singles from this record quite a bit. Hide & Seek is wonderful with a poignant sentiment from Stormzy and a measured instrumental to match. Firebomb is genuinely very cute and charming but what really brings it home is just how catchy it is. Neither song has waned on me since I first heard them. I think a lot of Stormzy fans were nervous that the whole record might be like this, it's not, but it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if it was.
The best example of this is the trio of great tracks the record ends on starting with Bad Blood which I'm paradoxically both happy and disappointed that it isn't a Taylor Swift cover. It's actually a love song that dives into the details of having a public relationship for better and worse. It doesn't necessarily blow me away with any one particular element but Stormzy hits on some very real stuff in his lyrics that helps tie everything together. I Got My Smile Back comes next and is a big lyrical highlight where Stormzy details his artistic progression through some references fans will quickly catch onto. It culminates in this big dramatic hook that overcomes its awkward writing with some absolutely great guest vocals.
A significant portion of the closing track Give It To The Water is taken up by Debbit Ehirim and I am 100% okay with that because she absolutely steals the show with a commanding presence as a vocalist despite how approachable and warm her vocals are. She meshes great with Stormzy when they harmonize and it makes for a fantastic finale to the record.
While we're on the subject this record is packed full of performances and backing vocals from a number of very talented singers and Water isn't the only time they steal the show. Need You is a great little duet between Stromzy and tendai about still having feelings for an ex. Her lustful edge contrasts perfectly with his painfully honest showboating and the slick little horns and synths in the instrumental are a fantastic touch. Even more obvious is when Sampha steals the show on his own song, Sampha's Plea. The only bad thing I can say about it is that it reminds me just how long it's been since we last got a Sampha album. Seriously, he is such a singularly unique and spectacular singer that this song just soars from start to finish.
This record also isn't exclusively like the singles at all, there are some total bangers in the mix. Most prominently the title track which already feels like the record's breakout song with its roster of great collaborators, viral music video, and wonderful instrumental. Even as catchy as it is there's still something a little bit weird but totally irresistible about the horror show keys and background vocals but it totally has me hooked. My Presidents Are Black is a triumphant song celebrating black achievement and how impossible it is to ignore the contributions of black people in all fields. It's just a wonderful celebratory experience that stands out on the record for all the right reasons.
The record isn't all great though, tracks like Please and Holy Spirit have some similar problems. The former is a touching little song where Stormzy pretty earnestly please for a number of different things and it comes off in an authentic way. Unfortunately, one of the results of that approach is that the performance is extremely reserved to the point where sometimes it's like Stormzy disappears from the song entirely. Holy Spirit is similarly reserved though it does have some gospel leanings that are played extremely lowkey. I don't really have a problem with the presentation of the song but across 4 minutes it does get a little bit dry. I wish there was a bit more of something here that made it feel like a progression.
The only real dud on the record is Fire + Water, which unfortunately is the opening track and even more unfortunately lasts for over 8 minutes. The bad signs come out early with some stupidly horny bars that Stormzy spits on the opening verse throwing off the otherwise pretty serious mood. It's also one of a number of points on the album where he kind of sticks his head up his ass with dumb boomer bars about "kids these days always being on their phones" or whatever. The second half of the song is much livelier and prominently features vocals from someone who Genius has listed as being Jacob Collier but I'm pretty sure it isn't. Regardless the instrumental is much worse and the song feels like a perfect example of trying to sound like a big grand intro and forgetting to actually make a good song.
