Roots Manuva - Bleeds

Feb. 23

Roots Manuva - Bleeds

I’m so disappointed.

There are three - three! - records out this week that feature spooky skeletons on the cover. And I didn’t manage to listen to any of them in time to put them up today. Well, we’ll have to celebrate Hallowe’en late on YDR. It’s my fault.

Until then, here’s Roots Manuva’s latest. It’s great, even if it isn’t very spooky.

What it is is grim, grimy hip-hop by way of London, with lyrical themes centered around class and poverty. But it’s not depressing, it’s invigorating.

This is because of the hugely inventive production on this record. Seriously, the beats on some of these songs are crazy good. Combined with the obvious passion Manuva has for his material, it makes for a truly great hip hop album. Easily the best non-American rap album this year (so far).

Streaming in full via Bandcamp below.

Highlights: Crying • Stepping Hard • One Thing

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