Dizzee Rascal - Maths & English

Considering the fact that he stepped on the scene when he was barely old enough to attend his own shows, Dizzee's progression as an artist has been astonishing. Maths & English is packed with uncompromising tracks like Pussyole and Sirens that take the template of hip-hop and make it heavier, dirtier, louder. These two tracks are particular highlights, Pussyole managing to bridge old-school hip-hop and nu-rave sensibilities perfectly, while Sirens offers a heavy rock riff and a cymbal-heavy beat and a lyric that showcases Dizzee's talents as a storyteller. The more familiar grime tracks (Paranoid, Flex) are restrained in terms of production, avoiding the aggressive bass stabs and 2-step rhythms of former protégé Wiley in favour of a more pop-influenced sound that sounds not unlike Basement Jaxx, or early speed garage. The end of the album peters off limply – Hardback is one industry manifesto too many, while Lily Allen's vocal contribution on Wanna Be (using a lyrical motif from Bugsy Malone) is a poor man's I Luv U. The diversity of influences on display is encouraging, but a little more focus could have made this album more than the sum of its parts. [Omar Kudos]