Sound Of Rum // Balance

Listening to this album makes me feel agitated.  After a short time of reflection I’ve come to the conclusion that it is the manner and style of the MC, Kate Tempest, which is comparable to ten double espressos straight in a row.  It isn’t the content that’s the problem (apparently she used to be a poet so I feel like I should say that despite having no idea whether she was ever any good), it’s the fast aggressive pace which resembles a grimey teenage version of a female Busta Rhymes with cockney swagger.  Good points about the album?  The bass has a good rhythm throughout and there are some interesting off beats to the drumming.  However, I personally find it hard to see past the boisterous MC, and am definitely struggling to listen to the entirety in one sitting.  It feels like a shame because excluding the MC, the album boasts a number of tracks which almost have a jazz infused style.  The album has been described as alternative hiphop, but that leads to the question of whether an MC’s influence can / should solely define the genre of music? Remove the MC and you have anything but hiphop – that simply doesn’t make sense to me.  I cannot therefore recommend this album to anyone other than those who like rowdy female MC’s.