★★★★
Following on from her infectious EPSwitch Tape, Tkay Maidza’s debut album somehow ups the ante even further.
‘Always Been’ hits the ground running with a grimey, bass-heavy backing, quickly establishing the positive influence of producers Salva (Young Thug, A$AP Ferg) and Dre Skull (Major Lazer, Snoop Dogg). The lyrical flow within ‘Afterglow’ is amazing, and first single ‘Carry On’ remains catchy even after being overplayed on radio – especially with that awesome verse from Run The Jewels’ Killer Mike.
‘Simulation’ has that feel-good beach vibe, which will no doubt help it become an essential summer party anthem, though both ‘Tennies’ and ‘Monochrome’ get a little repetitive (apart from some impressive spitting in the latter) and unfortunately break the flow built early on.
Thankfully, ‘Drumsticks No Guns’ is as playful as it is powerful, holding strong as one of the best tracks on the album, while ‘State Of Mind’ is strangely hypnotic with its slightly unbalanced, bouncing bass. The album finishes in fine form with the melody-driven dance-pop hit ‘You Want’ before ‘At Least I Know’, a showcase of Maidza’s lyrical mastery.
Ladies and gents, Tkay has arrived. All pretenders step aside.
Tkay Maidza’s Tkayis out now on Dew Process/Universal.
