 Lady Sovereign’s sophomore album sees the pint-sized femcee embrace the current vogue for kooky electronica. Ably assisted by her long-time producer Medasyn and Britney songwriter Dr. Luke Jigsaw is a ten song set that shows a genuine talent develop and grow.
The first track Let's Be Mates is all bouncy synths and skittery electro pop house, laced with Sov’s typically quirky lyrics. Then it’s The Cure sampling/re-working of Close To Me, So Human which as a die heard fan of The Cure I was a little sceptical of, but I have to say works, in a Noughties kinda way, reinventing the song and allowing Sov some space to vent about her ups and downs in the music biz. Then it’s the eponymous Jigsaw which sees Sov get all emotional over an indie rock inspired beat, and by now, three songs in you realise that she’s singing as much as she’s rapping…
Bang Bang is more guitar infused electronic madness followed by lead single I Got You Dancing featuring a robot voiced Sov telling us how she’s got us all err dancing. Next is the best song on the album Pennies, the beat knocks, we find Sov in her uniquely British braggadocio MC mode all topped off with some sublime cuts provided by DJ Frampster.
When your grand-dad is celebrated composer Sergei Prokofiev you know how to write good strings and Medasyn doesn’t disappoint on Guitar where we find Lady Sovereign in reflective mood again, singing of her troubles Stateside. Then it’s Student Union a “proto-ska” number comically chronicling a night out in student land. Food Play finds Wembley’s finest getting all sexy on us with more processed “fucked around with” vocals, a feature of the album. And finally I Got The Goods rounds off the record.
This is a definite departure for Lady Sovereign and whilst it doesn’t always work, the music industry needs people like Sov in it. She’s releasing the album on her own Midget Records and after the highs and lows of Jay-Z deals gone awry, Gwen Stefani supports, and MTV No 1’s I’m glad to see the biggest midget back in the game.
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