Music > Album Reviews

Loyle Carner - Yesterday's Gone

30/01/17

Much like grime, British hip hop has been crawling out of London and into the rest of the UK, the charts and international waters. Lil Simz’ eloquence has Kendrick Lamar smitten. Akala was invited to speak at Oxford Uni. Kate Tempest was nominated for the 2014 Mercury Prize. 

In this tradition, Loyle Carner is making a huge impact. The candid Croydon rapper dropped new album Yesterday’s Gone last week, and it’s stacked with clever, confessional tunes. The Isle of Arran (arguably the best song on there) opens. A gospel choir and smooth soul instrumentals will warm you up. Next, Carner’s flow will leave you cold. “There’s nothing to believe in, believe me,” he spits, purging the pain left by an absent father and deceased stepfather. Family is a huge theme on the album – skit Swear sees Carner ribbing his mum about her foul mouth. On the other side of Yesterday’s Gone, Carner pays tribute to 90s hip-hop. Heavy drums and guitar back No CD, a tune that name-drops Jay Z and ODB. Naturally, there’s songs about girls too. +44 reveals Carner’s spoken word chops, and his ability to find emotional depth in a piece about text messages.

Yesterday’s Gone acts like a biography, laid (mostly) over jazz and soul to further expunge the feels. If you love UK hip-hop, listen to Loyle Carner. If you’re sceptical about UK hip-hop – listen to Loyle Carner. Yesterday’s Gone cements Carner among the genre’s leading figures and hosts some seriously good tunes too.

8/10