Ghostpoet’s
twitter bio states that he ‘could he happier.’ This feeling of restlessness
coupled with the desire for something better seeps through all parts of his
second album, the elliptically titled SomeSay I So I Say Light.
The
Mercury award nominated artist (he doesn’t like to be referred to as a rapper
or a MC for that matter) opens proceedings with the rather sombre and morose
‘Cold Win.’ The track begins with an ominous and throbbing electro beat as
Ghostpoet pleads for someone to ‘show him the way.’ This desire to escape his
surroundings is dealt with again on the album’s second track ‘Them Waters’ as
the lyricist pleads for a mysterious higher power to ‘send him down the
Thames.’
Despite
some more upbeat moments like the sprightly guitar riff at the beginning of
‘Plastic Bag’ the album as a whole is a journey through the mind of a young man
dealing with the topics that most young men struggle with, relationship
failures (the catchy ‘Meltdown’) and a search for meaning and purpose in life
(‘Sloth Troth’). These are heavy topics for sure but Some Say I So I Say Light is a thought provoking if slightly over
long 52 minutes.
Musically
the album takes its queues from Radiohead albums such as Kid A and Amnesiac or
even more accurately Thom Yorke’s solo offering Eraser. ’12 Deaf’ is reminiscent of Amnesiac’s ‘Pyramid Song’ as Ghostpoet talks about ‘sleeping with
the ocean’ over a menacing and portent piano. His delivery is similar to that
of fellow Englishman Roots Manuva although some lyrics remain indecipherable
even after many listens.
This
seems like a deliberate decision and an attempt by Ghostpoet to maintain a
level of intrigue and eeriness throughout the record. The landscape he paints
is one of mystery through his opaque lyrics and industrial style production.
His world is, by and large, filled with hardship in both his working and
personal life. This might seem overly pessimistic but Ghostpoet is a man in
touch with the general mood around him. He is aware of the economic doom and gloom
that currently surrounds us and Some Say
I So I Say Light is the album to listen to if you want to ponder on the
difficulties of living in the current climate.
One
positive note is, however, found right at the album’s end. Despite lyrics like
‘I feel like the whole world has turned its back on me,’ closer ‘Comatose’
finishes with a positively upbeat string section that could almost be described
as euphoric. A pointer to happier times ahead perhaps.
7/10
Originally published here although I have now taken a mark off, mainly because I haven't listened to it a huge amount since the review.
http://campus.ie/ents/music/ghostpoet-album-review
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