Little Simz is the best rapper is the country. No one evokes feeling more consumingly, nor describes and analyses more vividly. The fact that she is often overlooked in the egocentric, machoism-infused conversation from archaic UK rap fans is becoming increasingly meaningless; we are watching Simz build a legacy in front of our eyes. Her ’21 album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is a masterpiece, and thankfully received the plaudits it deserved, mopping up many album of the year accolades including recent MOBO and Mercury Prize wins. Her surprise follow up NO THANK YOU is equally undeniable.

The way in which the album was unveiled and released, almost as a nonchalant victory lap, epitomises the tone and mood in which we find Simz. It’s gentle genius, subtler than its grand and cinematic predecessor. It’s the sound of an artist who found her niche, transformed it into a movement and now sits pretty atop of a whole sub-scene that is her own, surveying its burgeoning crops that grow whenever she choses to water them. 

The album is groove-laden, soulful and angelic with the underlying gospel influence weaving in and out of the trim track list. Simz continues to outdo herself lyrically, spraying thoughtful and provoking imagery and ideas with effortless candour. Standouts include Gorilla, No Merci and Sideways, but nothing comes close to the stripped back poignancy of the closer Control. I’m a sucker for emotion, what can I say. 

This doesn’t feel like an album meant to raise the stock of Simz or push her closer towards global stardom - to me, this is an artist doing what is a necessity to her, cascading her fans in the process, and emphasising just how layered and evoking of a talent that we are blessed to witness. Long live Little Simz.