[gate clicks shut]

It feels like an age since I’ve covered something from Blah. That is not to say that the independently well-oiled label hasn’t been churning out releases at a rate of knots, but more that they have surpassed my unknown-underground threshold. 

Nevertheless, when a new Lee Scott album is announced all other releases get dropped like plates held by a clumsy waiter. ‘[gate clicks shut]’ is the culprit for why there is greasy pub food all over the floor and producer Hyroglifics is as much to blame as our witty wordsmith. 

Although more accustomed to making feet move than heads bounce, Hyroglifics, who is signed to Kasra’s Critical Sound label, has made a strong attempt at an entirely new genre. Considering it is his hip hop debut, the production has an air of assurance, with the project benefitting from having a single producer - much like previous Lee albums new and old. 

When it comes to the lyricism Lee shares the mic with fellow Cult of the Damned members King Grubb, Black Josh, BeTheGun and newest recruit Clbrks. Aside from the Cult members, we have guest verses from Company Flow’s Bigg Jus and young Estonian emcee VAÏKE PD who diversify the delivery somewhat. 

I’m not going to sit here and tell you this is my favourite Lee Scott album, or that every track is a new classic because it’s not, but I feel that is not the point of this project. Of course the tireless tongue is pressed firmly against the cheek and Lee does well to distribute these humorous yet insightful bars evenly between tracks, but yet when it comes to the track list, for me at least, it’s the skits that are perhaps the best pointers for what this album is all about. 

The gate has indeed clicked shut when it comes to merchandise with both tees and vinyl selling out in matter of days, but you can show your support and stream ‘[gate clicks shut]’ in all the usual places.