You want to hear her rap? That’s the offer anyhow. Track one, ‘Studio Backpack Rap’ is a ferocious ambling free number that opens an LP from an artist who has reason to prove herself. Speech Debelle’s story doesn’t really need dwelling on. Her relationship with the music industry is fraught to say the least. This record comes after her Mercury music prize was won but not really noticed and the catapulting of that award didn’t really take it’s toll. If anything shows an artist who has matured and developed since all that. It’s ‘Freedom of Speech’.
Track 2, ‘Live for the Message’ is wonderfully honest and stripped back affair. Speech’s lyrics bounce off percussive taps and ominously uplifting brass. She is an artist who’s rhymes compliment a flawless ability to tell stories. This jaunt is followed by ‘Blaze up a Fire’ with old pal Roots Manuva. Sinister sounds and confident delivery. ‘I am not a pop star, I’m a mother fucking thug’. An instant forerunner for lyric of 2012. This is Debelle writing about her year and herself-aware bitterness creates quite an obnoxious sound paired with the detectable flow of Manuva. These are artists who write for writing and are blessed with the musical ability to put it on record. This track is ballsy and brilliant as it makes her flow seem richer for the experience she’s had.
‘Elephant in the Living Room’ is more reminiscent of the award winning debut. Strings upholding an emotive lyricism with a twang hurt in every vowel. There are more layers on the engineering of this LP. Her lines are being suspended by far more tracks of orchestra which makes it more victorious and far more confident. This carries on tracks like ‘X Marks the Spot’ and ‘Shawshank Redemption’. There is a retrospective maturity in ‘Freedom of Speech’ that contrasts the more carefree honesty in ‘Speech Therapy’. ‘I’m With It’ deceptively opens like a B-Side from the ‘Mylo Xyloto’ sessions but becomes a slick soul-esque 4 minute wonder with Debelle strutting across the Motown thumps. This noisy confidence is also demonstrated in ‘The Problem’ where the lyrics are faster, bouncier and slicker than her offerings so far. Political, funny and personal. She is a rare gem who will always have some kind of audience. ‘I’m doing it like it’s my last album’ she fiercely spits as the beat builds.
The second Roots collaboration and penultimate number is a spacey one with reverb and room but it encapsulates the sound Debelle has put across on this LP. It’s noiser but that is only because this woman has more to say. She has made an album that simmers until a series of colossal crescendos none bigger than that of closer ‘Sun Dog’. It’s uplifting in a gospel sense. This new found euphoria stemming from a slightly disillusioned outlook. She can rap but she can also speak. It’s corny but so evidently true. Speech Debelle won’t win another Mercury music prize and the critical acclaim of her debut may have been misused but her talent as a strong lyricist and courageous creative has strengthened regardless of her view on the industry. These songs are proud, hopeful and mightily free.
[Rating:4]
