Political commentary has always been the thumping, beating heart of slowthai’s lyrics. It does not matter if they are peppered through a grime-induced debut or a recent post-punk release. UGLY marks the third album, an apologetic and honest reflection that does not change the style of the artist, but the tone of the person behind it all. Confident showcases, thoughtful deliberations on meaning that stick firm to what was offered up on the on-the-nose, solid worries of Nothing Great About Britain. Slowthai has put emotive presence at the core of his tracks, like always. Instead of drawing on the hardcore hip-hop tones of the debut, slowthai now revolves around relaying life experiences through the heavy electronic heartbeat of Yum.
Comparisons between the first and recent works from slowthai feel obvious and consistent with his form. His personable and shock-ready lyrics are as electric as ever, personified well in tracks Selfish and Sooner. Making the transition from hip-hop to post-punk implies there is much difference beyond instruments. Even when UGLY gives way to lighter tones of post-punk, on Feel Good for instance, the biting sharpness of slowthai’s lyrics pour through. Pangs of IDLES smash through in heavier tracks, but slowthai cements a unique tone on the emotionally well-worked, piano and percussion builds of Never Again. UGLY is stuffed full of those tracks that remind of earlier days, darker times and the lives everyone attempts to leave behind if they are, like slowthai and listeners, desperate for some reinvention.
Reinvention is not out of desperation from a dying style, slowthai was at the top of his game and still is. Changing pace and shifting strange sentiments, a genuine commitment to ventriloquism washes over Fuck It Puppet and works, surprisingly. Outlandish perceptions of slowthai are hit back at, UGLY does well to approach his roots, those discounts he gave out at Next and the Northampton roots so firmly approached. HAPPY and UGLY have the same structure. Spell out the lettering, delve into the dark underbelly of post-punk stylings and what it can offer up to quality wordplay. Blistered feet, lyrics that pop and cry out for those colloquial intimacies that have struck through with the growth of slowthai not as an artist but as a person. Charming Wotz Funny and the momentum that carries his expletive-clad post-punk style is no surprise. He is, as he said in 2018, “Sid Vicious without killing his girlfriend.”
At a time when artists are crossing over to genres unknown to their studio efforts, with a Lil Yachty prog-rock album dominating the mind over the last few months, slowthai continues a strong trend. His post-punk stylings are inherently linked to his earliest works. Elements of it can be found on Nothing Great About Britain. Sobering effectiveness and the frenetic horrors of the mind should be no surprise to someone who has gripped the pulse of England and never let go. Clear contrast comes from the beauty of the points made and the title of the album. UGLY is a mature and defiant album, cementing the growth of just four years in the life of an artist on the rise and rise. Raw and aggressive as ever, and there is much to be furious about, as UGLY finds the time to coast through the dark and dingy days of Britain while also offering up feel-good singles that feel both genuine and mockery ready. Powerful stuff. It is no surprise that UGLY, for all its torniquets, depression and grimy punk culture is quite beautiful.
