Track of the Week: I Swear

Coops moves further into the realms of creamy production and enlightened introspection, recruiting the king of noir R&B’s KeepVibesNear for buttery and thought-evoking cut I Swear.

With nearly a decade of releases under his belt, Coops is a pinnacle figure in the old guard of UK underground hip hop that places validity on authenticity, individuality and musical nuance. His debut album Lost Soul is an alt rap masterclass, with the rapper proceeding to deliver projects that are rich, dense, captivating and colourful. After a tepid few years on the release front, Coops has come back as silky as ever this year, returning with classic boom bap tracks The Kid Is Back and Shoot My Shot. 

Offering his third and most striking release of the year, Coops illustrates his refined craft with wordplay, flow and tone. The self produced instrumental is simultaneously moody and groovy, with the guitar sample, intricate bass and lively percussion combining to create a beat full of gusto and vibrancy. Often satirical and political in his lyricism, Coops shifts between outward societal observations and inward self-reflection, smooth and focused in his delivery. KeepVibesNear offers up a casually anthemic hook, showcasing his unique approach to writing and performing.  

Still flying the flag for sunny, jazz-laden old school hip hop when not many around him are doing so, Coops augments his legacy with every passing release.