Tom Talks #4: slowthai-TYRON

 

Hello people and welcome back to another Tom Talks! slowthai has been one of the most dynamic and standout MC's in the UK, so this new album was one of my most anticipated projects of the year. His last LP 'Nothing Great About Britain,’ was a raw and gritty look into British life and the difficulties of growing up in this country. The punkish attitude displayed on tracks like 'Doorman' and 'Inglorious,' has always defined Tyron's music. But after I heard the lead single 'feel away,’ I knew we were getting something different. 

'TYRON' is split into two halves, with side A giving us the bangers and side B the more melodic, emotional cuts. The A side kicks off with '45 SMOKE,' an introduction to who slowthai is in real life and showing the more introspective Tyron from the get go, over a chaotic-horror inspired beat. He explains the routine of his life and how mediocre it is, starting his delivery with his usual raw flow, before ending the track with a creepy baby like delivery, which adds to the scare factor. 

Following a good start, we move on to 'CANCELLED,' with Skepta dominating the track with his braggadocious nature, highlighting his performance at Glastonbury and his many awards. Both talk about being cancelled, which is in reference to the fact slowthai had an altercation at the NME awards. The Eastern influence at the start of the beat, before a return to the more horror vibes, made for some great production, matching the manic vibe of the artist's delivery. Lines such as "See you throwing stones in your glass house," highlight the hypocrisy of cancel culture, showing these two cannot be stopped by the internet.

The Skepta collab is followed by another one of the singles, with A$AP Rocky team up 'MAZZA.' You can really feel the druggy vibes with the 'err-err-err' of the eerie keyboard, mixed with slowthai voicing that he "Feel like I'm down, I say, 'What's up?'" Rocky comes in with his usual wavey, chilled vibe that adds a nice change of pace to the psychotic flow of Mr. Frampton. This matches the feelings of uncertainty, which he displays when talking about suicidal tendencies and even on the bangers, we are getting a key insight into how he felt during the making of this album.

We then get ferocity and anger on the aptly named 'VEX,' with the aggression matching the tale of being unable to be yourself, over this production that sounds like something out of the Saw films. The chorus is delivered like a radio warning of something coming to get you, adding to the creepiness of the song. I just love the versality in flows displayed on this track and the rest of the album, with this one definitely being a grower, after I was not wowed by it originally. 

The seamless transition into 'WOT' is like a beat switch, it's just a shame how short the track is with the chaotic, wild beat and a freestyle like quality to the track. It has a grimey vibe, but does not last long enough to leave any real impression on me and should have been stretched out or simply removed in my opinion.

Another team up follows, with Kwes Darko coming with a flow similar to Skepta on his Halloween mix, as he and slowthai go back to back on the chorus, stating "Take away my flesh, but they'll never take my mind." This feels similar in nature to the cancel culture vibes seen previously, with 'DEAD' being a suitable title. The sinister trap-keyboard sound adds to the me against the world vibe of thai, who is clearly showing his more vulnerable side.

The A side ends with 'PLAY WITH FIRE' which could have easily belonged on side B, with it's more chilled guitar production and use of more authentic instruments, like the guitar playing throughout the track. The move away from the more angry side to Northampton's finest, sees him stating his insecurities, but that he won't let them stop him. The song then goes into slow motion as we transition into 'i tried.'

At this point I noticed the constant mention throughout the LP of snakes, showing that many people had betrayed him in his life, leading to these feelings of worry and unhappiness in himself and his life. The track sounds like a tape with the crackling throughout, whilst slowing down towards the end, giving us a nostalgic vibe. The talk of depression is more clearer and obvious here, as Tyron struggles to fight back and move on from these feelings. With the struggles I have felt during lockdown, it's a sentiment I and many others can relate to here.

Kenny Beats makes an appearance on the next track 'focus.' (he also produces the following track.) The west coast vibe on this sad boy beat, makes for an interesting mix with the haunting female samples scattered all over the song. slowthai shows on the track he's better than most perceive, with the bar "I should've been in prison. But I'm different, never listened to the shit that they be on." You can clearly see the struggle he has been through to get to this point, creating empathy for the man, but also showing that anyone can prove people wrong, a good message to create hope in these troubled times.

The next one 'terms' was my most anticipated track, with Dominic Fike and Denzel Curry listed as the featured guests. Fike is not an artist I am a big fan of, but his vocals are on point here and convey the message of despite the problems of life, it could be worse. Coming to terms with it, is what thai does, with people focusing on his worst, comparing himself to a rose covered in thorns. The drugs are seen as just a premature solution, with drugs constantly referenced as a gateway from life's troubles. The Denzel samples are used decently and are like adding some salt to your chips (they have a banging collab called 'Psycho' if you want a full back 2 back.) The track concludes with a more angrier delivery, showing the pain felt and how he cannot hold it in anymore, concluding an amazing track that shows the pressure put on artists by themselves and the general public.

'push' really gives me a BROCKHAMPTON vibe, in particular the track 'NO HALO' with the chilled guitar instrumental and vocals from Deb Never. These are then sampled throughout the song as we get talk of friends betraying you for being famous, as he combats leaving them behind. Frampton talks about feeling like drowning and coming back stronger from this, which shows you can move on from those you trusted the most and come out the other side. We've all had that childhood friend who let you down and while it may mark the end of that relationship, it is also the beginning of a new chapter in your life.

'nhs' and 'feel away' (the first two singles) fit well into the tracklist, as the former's simple melodic beat fits with the more positive vibe, to take the good and the bad in life and make the most of your time on this Earth. Thai tells us to bin the critique of oneself and be happy, as all life's good bits come with the bad. It's an uplifting message that is the most beneficial message to the listener, whilst also being topical with lines referencing the NHS clap, making your average Joe happy.

You know my love for the latter of these two singles, with 'feel away' being the perfect breakup ballad. The sad piano beat really hits the heartstrings, with slowthai emotionally proclaiming "Suddenly I'm half the man I used to be." He try's to keep the relationship together by claiming he will do whatever she wants, but it is clear his attempts are futile. With a feature from the powerful lungs of James Blake and Mount Kimbie providing the cherry on top, you can see why I love this track so much and it ended up being on my top 10 tracks of 2020.

To conclude this phenomenal record, 'adhd' sees Tyron talk about this condition and struggling to come to terms with it as a kid, which he compares to how he has dealt with his mental health issues. The melancholic production and the delivery of the vocals, which feels like thai is about to cry, highlight the unhappiness felt with his view that "I'm tryna fly but my wings feel broken." The track then has an interlude with a declaration to his friend that he misses him over the phone, before a switch to a manic, angry slowthai proclaiming he has 'psycho tendencies' and calling attention to opposing sides of what depression makes you feel emotionally. It's a harrowing end to a bleak album, but it has truly explored the mind of a troubled soul, who I hope is now in a better place.

Side B is definitely more stronger than the A side for me, with a more melodic slowthai, providing a new side to him and further insight into his personal life. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the first 7 tracks, but 'WOT' was too short and '45 SMOKE' and 'VEX' don't quite slap as much as 'MAZZA' or 'CANCELLED.' I don't think I can pick a winner between the two albums from slowthai, but 'TYRON' is a phenomenal album that gives an insight into the mind of a truly troubled individual, who is dealing with the pains of modern life and betrayal. Not many rappers from the UK make albums like this, so I highly recommend you check this out.

8.5/10