Shygirl – Nymph

On her debut album Nymph, Shygirl has created an entire genre of her own

Album Review by Abbie Aitken | 30 Sep 2022
  • Shygirl - Nymph
Album title: Nymph
Artist: Shygirl
Label: Because Music
Release date: 30 Sep

The wait for the release of Shygirl’s debut album Nymph has been agonising. The London-based rapper has been consistently releasing devastatingly electric singles since 2016, yet Nymph is her most ambitious release to date. A cluster of experimental tracks centred around an inner self-reflection makes for an intricately detailed project, flushed with tantalising tales.

Shygirl was clearly careful when picking Nymph’s collaborators. With producers including Mura Masa, Sega Bodega, Arca, Karma Kid, Cosha, Noah Goldstein, BloodPop and Vegyn, the sound of Nymph is remarkable. Each collaborator’s individual sound is heard. On Come For Me, Arca produces a deconstructed enchantress caused by distorted dance sounds, whereas on Heaven the combination of Mura Masa and Sega Bodega leads to a delightfully sweet, almost traditional hyperpop track. Yet, Shygirl’s vocals narrate Nymph, leading with her tales of sexual desires and attraction.

To properly deconstruct the originality of Nymph would mean writing an entire book. Shygirl has created a project that screams for attention. It slithers through a jungle of sound. Tracks reminiscent of a shattered lullaby, or a disjointed reflection on a past relationship. Shygirl has basically created an entire genre all her own.

Listen to: Come For Me, Poison, Shlut

http://shygirl.tv