Timing is everything when it comes to music. Six months ago I don’t think I even would have given 2econd Class Citizen a moment of my time but in the midst of my current ambient, electronica, dubstep, whatever you want to call it binge, ‘The Small Minority‘ seems to fit in perfectly.
Terrible name aside (well, not so much terrible name but that 2 is god awful) and stomach churning bad album artwork, ‘The Small Minority‘ in part goes where many wouldn’t dare to and does so through diversity. While artists like RJD2 and DJ Shadow have done the hip-hop or trip-hop thing to death, and successfully may I add, 2econd Class Citizen brings that style to the forefront adding an ambience many will have heard on Four Tet‘s last release ‘There Is Love In You‘, and the almost soulful mainstream vocal style that made artists like Burial so popular. That isn’t what sets 2econd Class Citizen aside in a genre already full with spellbinding artists though. What sets 2econd Class Citizen apart is this added to the natural, organic folk influence that Aaron Thomason surely picked up during his upbringing in the rural parts of England.
‘The Small Minority‘ isn’t for everyone. It isn’t middle of the road, yet at the same time it isn’t brash and in your face. What it is, is often trip-hop, folk, hip-hop, electronica, interesting and above all, never failing to be challenging. One of my surprise listens of the year, I beg you to check this album out.
[rating: 4.5]
