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Little Simz returns with Lotus which she describes as her ‘most personal album to date’. It’s a heart on its sleeve collection of songs, at times angry, at others reflective. The raw emotion kicks straight in on opening track ‘Thief’, which may or may not address the breakdown of her friendship with producer Inflo. A subject which has obviously impacted the album massively, not just emotionally and lyrically but production wise too. Themes of loss, anger, paranoia and grief are all covered and she’s diverted her rage into creating yet another absolute killer album. Where her previous two albums were all lush cinematic production and sweeping strings, this time around there’s a more contained sound: a darker, brooding intensity that’s powerful and provides the perfect space for Simbi’s smart, witty and incisive flow. With the help of a whole host of guest collaborators, she’s really spread her musical wings this time around too. The previously mentioned ‘Thief’ is a direct, pounding rocker (yes really!), while collaborations with Obongjayar are infused with afrobeat, There’s a 70s soul-funk vibe to ‘Free’ and ‘Enough’ reminds me of late periods Specials: a playful funky groover with snappy drums. Both Michael Kiwanuka and Sampha’s soulful vocals prove the perfect foil for her rage on ‘Lotus’ and stunning album closer ‘Blue’ respectively. Other standout tracks include ‘Blood’, a conversation between siblings that is an amazingly perceptive look at family dynamics and ‘Hollow’ which again (possibly) addresses the breakdown of her relationship with Inflo and perhaps deliberately is the most like the feel of her previous albums full of lush strings and cherubic backing vocals. It’s an absolutely stunning album and Simbi once again proves that she is one of the greatest artists of her generation.