Little Simz - Stillness In Wonderland (2016)

For reasons that are lengthy and numerous, North London’s Little Simz has the UK listening – but the US is listening a little closer still. Her second album Stillness In Wonderland – a statement of arrival that follows her coming of age debut – is another self-written independent release via her own label AGE 101. What’s more, since releasing A Curious Tale Of Trials + Persons in September 2015, Little Simz has toured North America with Lauryn Hill and has gained fans in Anderson .Paak and Kendrick Lamar. Simz is making an impact enviable of any rapper, but somehow, many British music platforms seem to be unaware of the striking career she’s creating for herself.

Stillness In Wonderland is never predictable. Simz’ intonation has matured. Inflections conclude phrases with a streamlined assurance. Throughout the album, an electric guitar is played with dreamy reverb, nimble fingers dance on piano keys and impactful trumpet melodies from Sheila Maurice-Grey (Nerija) pack an emotive punch, particularly on One In Rotation + Wide Awake. In the album’s instrumentation, the stitching between hiphop and jazz continues to strengthen.

Stillness In Wonderland takes us out of ourselves, and allows us to look back through the looking glass. It bares a perspective of the millennial’s shared psyche; anxiety, feeling overwhelmed; a pressure to deliver.