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From the grotesque imagery on the album cover to the graphic lyrics, the fourth studio album from Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip is certainly darker, heavier and angrier than previous albums. The British hip-hop duo have combined some of the best elements from previous work, be it together or apart, to create an album full of emotions, promises and messages.
Opening number and single ‘Stunner’ comes at listener like a freight train. Pounding percussion and elements of dubstep from le Sac form the backdrop for Pip to unleash his home truths with lyrical intensity like “you call that s**t depression, I call that inspired.”
Watch the video for 'Stunner' below
This theme of intensity and pounding back-beats forms the basis of the album and the nature of the pairs fourth LP certainly builds on the heavier elements introduced in 2010′s The Logic of Chance, and Scroobius Pip’s solo effort Distraction Pieces.
Bearded wordsmith Pip should be treasured and appreciated for years to come and with songs like ‘Terminal’ showcasing true brilliance in the form of spoken word; it proves to be the highlight of the album. A first person narrative tale of a drug fuelled experience with a terminally ill woman could never be portrayed in a more beautiful light and the change of pace it brings with it is perfectly placed.
The thought provoking ‘Porter’ paints vivid pictures as Scroobius Pip throws lyrics like “weird to think that each one is someone’s daughter” whilst waxing-lyrical about patients at a women’s mental hospital, on a canvas that is Dan le Sac’s electro soundtrack.
Name checking Jimmy Saville and a horrid auto tune “rappers wear bling because they wanna look pretty” lyric feature on Gold Teeth, a real low on the album. Despite so much lyrical maturity, this track doesn't demonstrate this in the best light and the production help from Flux Pavillion is all too much.
In amongst all the angst featured on the brilliant ‘Stiff Upper Lip,’ lyrical wizardry from Itch of The Kings Blues fame with his “a retweet is just a retreat” line makes his guest appearance the pick of the collaborators.
All the anger, all the powerful messages and all the emotions that build up throughout the album come together on the album finale ‘You Will See Me,’ a real statement of intent from Pip whose bitterness bleeds through your earphones and speakers.
Dan le Sac and Scroobius Pip have been at the forefront of British hip hop since the groundbreaking ‘Thou Shalt Always Kill’ catapulted the duo into the limelight. With this album, all the maturity, the lessons learned from making solo records and writing songs about relevant and important issues make for a really good listen in any environment.
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