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Mercury and BRIT nominated Kae Tempest’s fifth studio album ‘Self Titled’ featuring Neil Tennant, Tawiah, Connie Constance and Young Fathers and co-produced by Fraser T Smith and Tempest. Tempest has an impressive list of prizes under his belt. His book Brand New Ancients made him the first person under 40 to receive the Ted Hughes Award in 2013. Kae also won the Ivor Novello Award for ‘Best Contemporary Song’ in 2024, following two previous Ivor Novello nominations in 2020 and a BRIT Award nomination in 2018. Kae has been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize twice.

The album’s first single, ‘Statue In The Square,’ was released in March. Tempest’s fast flow delivers a raw, rhythmic track. The accompanying video was filmed in Deptford, London, and features key community voices, including Princess Julia, Joelle Taylor, Sweatmother, Debbie Smith, and Dr Ronx. The collaborations on Self Titled don’t stop there. For his fifth offering, Tempest has ensured a stellar line-up of features. Guest appearances include Neil Tennant, Young Fathers, Connie Constance, and Tawiah.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Tempest's brand new LP swims in the sort of gritty, downbeat hip-hop poetry we all loved on 2016's brilliant 'Let Them Eat Chaos', but this time around there's a grittier, industrial aesthetic underpinning proceedings. There are moments of sublime melodicism, much like there are segments of chaotic noise, but it's the perfect balance that sets Kae apart from the rest and keeps us coming back for more. A superb new outing from one of the UK's hottest poets.

TRACK LISTING

1. I Stand On The Line
2. Statue In The Square
3. Know Yourself
4. Sunshine On Catford
5. Bless The Bold Future
6. Everything All Together
7. Prayers To Whisper
8. Diagnoses
9. Hyperdistillation
10. Forever
11. Breathe
12. Till Morning