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AUDIO Andrew Lambert Rejjie Snow Baw Baw Black Sh
eep [BMG] Wolf Alice Blue Weekend [Dirty Hit] Following the introspective hip-hop opus that was his studio debut Dear Annie in 2018, Dublin rapper Rejjie Snow returns with Baw Baw Black Sheep, a super slick collection of trippy monologues set to an eclectic mix of neo-soul, trap and alternative R&B beats. The 28-year-old Drumcondra native has been making waves internationally since debuting three years ago, as is evidenced by the impressive cast of featured artists utilized skillfully throughout an immersive sophomore record. Most notable is the late great MF DOOM, who arrives in style on lead single and early highlight Cookie Chips. DOOM perfectly sets the playful summer tones of his streamlined tracklist, while later R&B superstar Tinashe shines on the gloriously funky and aptly titled ˜Disco Pantz. Arguably Rejjie’s strongest assist comes courtesy production whiz Cam O’bi, as the Grammy award winner provides a colourful selection of sunny beats for Snow to bask in. Crucially, the star power of the guestlist never steals the show away from our narrator, who is in his element throughout. Laying down bars with a flow so chilled and smooth that you might suspect the young rapper of functioning in a lucid dream state, atop the brightly cinematic and sensual backing. Snow declared himself to be “at ease” in the creative process, and the results speak for themselves as the vibrant and intimate energy of Baw Baw Black Sheep reveals a highly perceptive, profoundly evolving artist. AL Like This? Try These... ASAP Rocky - Testing Frank Ocean - Blonde Tyler, The Creator - IGOR Blue Weekend presents a lusher version of Wolf Alice than that which we’ve encountered on their two previous releases. In its finest moments, delivering a heightened level of production, artfully layered vocals and richer instrumentation. Regrettably, the entire enterprise is compromised when the tone reverts to the passable radio rock fare that Alice can’t resist filling in the blanks with. A solid, but unspectacular, effort from a band that still seem to be figuring out their best mode three albums in. AL beabadoobee Our Extended Play [Dirty Hit] Written and recorded in collaboration with faintly alt-pop’s nascent svengalis, Matty Healy and George Daniel of The 1975, “on a farm in the countryside”, Our Extended Play is a bubbly four track EP that sees bedroom to stadium crossover sensation beabadoobee go all out ‘90s indie pop with spectacularly catchy results. It’s a wonderfully suited, and immensely fruitful, collaboration for the savvy Dirty Hit label mates that surely bodes well for fans with an eye toward further developments in the sound of both artists. AL Rostam Changephobia [Matsor Projects] Easy Life Life’s a Beach [Island] Grammy winning producer, composer and multiinstrumentalist Rostam conducts a light jazz come indietronica orchestra on Changephobia - his second solo album since departing Vampire Weekend in 2016. The production and musicality on these tracks are as immaculate as you’d expect from Batmanglij, but the 37-year-old is never as compelling a subject as the collaborators (Haim, Clairo, VW) with whom he has found his greatest success. The result is a strangely unengaging affair despite the unique fingerprints of its sonic architect. AL The debut from Leicester based group Easy Life is a mellow exercise in indie hip-hop that’s well timed to coincide with the tentative arrival of the Irish summer. There are low key yet satisfyingly catchy hooks to be found amongst the approachable, invitingly, lo-fi beats of Life’s a Beach but the lyrical content and slacker delivery of Murray Matravers leaves something to be desired, despite the frontman’s admirably intended exploration of social and mental health issues throughout. AL CLICK IT OUT… We know it and so should you food, fashion, photography, film, books, magazines, music, design, drink and a curated section of events for you to consider www.totallydublin.ie