Having swam through the murky, unforgiving depths of UK rap, French The Kid emerges from its waters with perhaps his strongest release to date, ‘Thrill’.

The Essex rapper’s new single is the kind of game changing cut that could well send French into the gulf of mainstream attention. It’s not like the Kid hasn’t garnered critical and public acclaim with his releases to date, but to me it has always felt like he’s been waiting to unleash his career defining moment… this could well be it.

Of course, French has had his hits. His ‘Mad About Bars’ is introspective and technically astute, while ‘Coco’ showcases his diverse ability and ear for melody. His previous 2021 singles, however, fell somewhat short, with his tried and tested but basic formula appearing strung out and sonically limited.

While ‘Essex Boys’ and ‘Old Friends’ felt boxed in by their own sound, ‘Thrill’ oozes liberation, unfettered in its exuberant vitality. The instrumental is potent and vibrant, with the snappy drums and murky synths a suitable past time until we hear the star of the show - those sporadic, gorgeous strings. French’s bars are sharp and intelligent, and the hook is both affecting and memorable. 

The video follows a similar visual and thematic creative direction that French has previously opted for - persistently authentic and family/friend orientated. It’s an aesthetic that marries perfectly with French’s emotive and powerful sound, and never more so than on ‘Thrill’. 

I’ve always been a supporter of French The Kid, whilst simultaneously sceptical as to whether he could make the formidable leap from promising upcomer to a fundamental cog in UK rap’s well oiled mechanism. I expect, and hope, that my doubts were dumbfounded.