This article originally appeared in the March 2024 edition of The Commuter.
UK rapper Little Simz has been releasing music since 2010, building an audience and a critically-acclaimed back catalog before finally breaking into the mainstream with 2021’s superb 19-song project “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.”
Interspersed between Little Simz’s grander, full-length albums have been her “Drop” series of EPs, more concise projects clocking in at well under 20 minutes that allow the artist to “drop” some songs to her fans without embarking on the rigorous creative process of creating an entire album.
Little Simz’s latest is “Drop 7,” her seventh such “Drop” EP that’s also seven tracks long and a mere 14 minutes and 52 seconds in length. The EP’s cover depicts Simz as a cyborg, foreshadowing the futuristic direction the project takes.
That modern feel is immediately apparent on the opener “Mood Swings,” built around pulsating, electronic drum loops. Simz even uses a touch of added reverb on the sibilance of the word “swings” to add another percussive element. Like much of the project to follow, “Mood Swings” is equal parts minimal and busy, with complicated, multi-layered beats almost entirely stripped of melody. Each drum track and sample is crisp and clear in the mix, with a range of different tones to keep it interesting.
“Mood Swings” adds a burst of African drums in its pre-chorus, while “Fever” features a Latin element in its rhythm, with Little Simz even rapping a verse in Portuguese. The beat on “Torch” is a little more straightforward, built around a jittery high-end and a hard-hitting kick pattern. Subtle synth hits throughout bring a sense of depth, while an added hi-hat around a minute in completely changes the momentum of the beat.
“Torch” also highlights the versatility Little Simz brings to the table in terms of vocal delivery, with the rapper switching between a soft-spoken hook and focused, confident verses. Lyrics on “Torch” and the rest of the project reflect those of a rapper who knows she’s made it (“If you know me I can bar for days / Nothing left to prove cause I’ve done enough, done enough”).
The following song, “SOS,” is the highlight of the record, incorporating all the elements present on “Drop 7” to create a three-minute house track filled to the brim with percussion loops. The vibe is so great that Little Simz lets it build for an entire minute and a half before finally entering, dropping a short, M.I.A-inspired verse with effect-heavy vocals before letting the beat take over again. It’s the conclusion of a truly excellent four-song run to open the project, with each track fitting perfectly into the feel of the EP while still standing out individually.
However, the latter half of “Drop 7” loses some of its style and momentum. The perhaps aptly named “I Ain’t Feelin It” features a slow, unimaginative trap beat that isn’t anywhere near as exciting or energetic as what came before it. While Little Simz’s laid-back flow contrasted nicely with fast-paced beats before, here everything just sounds sleepy and uninspired.
“Power” brings back the energy, and Little Simz’s doubled vocals add an interesting element, but at just 55 seconds long it feels like a snippet rather than a fully-realized song. It abruptly ends before transitioning a little awkwardly to the closer “Far Away,” which starts off with wavy piano chords before a slightly muffled EDM backbeat comes in. The song features a solid vocal performance from Little Simz – her only time singing on the EP – bringing the project to a dreamy conclusion that still fits in with the percussion-heavy production of the project.
“Drop 7” isn’t anything revolutionary, but for the American ear that’s been oversaturated with trap music for the past decade, an internationally-inspired and dance-infused hip-hop record that still feels ultra-modern is a welcome change. At only 15 minutes, the EP’s low points don’t last long and its many highs are sharp, memorable, and worth a replay.
At a glance:
Album: Drop 7
Artist: Little Simz
Producer: Jakwob
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
