Self-reflection enables us to process the meaning of all of the great (and not so great) experiences we’ve had. There is no one-size-fits-all self-reflection method, but Slowthai’s Tyron made the list of insightful thought-maps longer.
After Slowthai’s initial debut album Nothing Great About Britain came out in 2019, he was on top of the world; he was hailed as a youth culture trailblazer. However, after his very controversial appearance at the 2020 NME awards — where he threw a glass at an audience member before jumping into the crowd — he nearly lost it all. Tyron is a retrospective, staying true to his tongue in cheek persona while also acknowledging some much needed personal growth.
Tyron is presented in two halves, and the splitting is a physical representation of his personality’s two sides. The arrogant, abrasive boy we know and love and the empathetic sensible man he is trying to become. The album’s title, his real first name, leads us to believe this is self meditation. Proving there is a real person behind the character of Slowthai.
Side One of Tyron is loaded with sonorous basslines and minimalistic beats, which complements Slowthai’s unrivaled flow. Despite being broken up by high profile features from Skepta and A$AP Rocky, these tracks are where Slowthai’s punkish energy shine.
However, “Cancelled” comes across as tone-deaf, “How you gonna cancel me? Twenty awards on the mantelpiece.” It’s hard to know how someone should appropriately respond after being canceled. is it wise to return guns blazing in a victory lap, or is it better to get on your hands and knees begging for forgiveness? Wrong actions do not always make a bad person, but the way Slowthai has decided to handle this is surely in the grey.
While more melodic, Side Two is more of an introspective of the nervous energy that fuels side one. The vulnerability shown on this side does not play into the caricature people know as Slowthai, but that’s precisely his point. The tracks “focus” and “terms” are prime examples of his attempts to address his imperfections and wrongdoings while navigating fame, “I woke up and came to terms with it (Yeah) / No matter what, they get my words twisted.” Stand out track “Push” features Deb Never. Her angelic vocals, layered with delicate guitar, compliments Slowthai’s infectious flow; this track hooks you in a way we haven’t heard from the rapper before.
Tyron showcases the decline of Slowthai’s ego from start to finish. The artist’s appeal increases directly with that, finishing on the most substantial material he’s released yet. However, where he goes from here is anyone’s guess.
Essential Tracks: “Mazza” (feat. A$AP Rocky), “Push” (feat. Deb Never) and “nhs”
Prerequisites: Slowthai’s Nothing Great About Britain and Skepta’s Konnichiwa