RELEASED 11TH DECEMBER 2020

Favourite track: Innocence

This album explores the heritage of UK Grime with messages about the streets, choices, music and people.

This was my first time hearing London-based producer and MC, Jammer’s music. What drew me to reviewing this album Natural Selection was definitely the cover artwork depicting what I believe to be him in a graphic novel-animated style against a night-sky backdrop. His expression is serious but also fixed as he seems to be looking at something in the distance. I’ve grown to be a fan of UK rap and Hip-Hop and love discovering artists that I haven’t heard of so I was curious to hear this 13-track album.

The opening track ‘Fiver’ (ft. Tyrell Trey) starts with audio ad-libs, a drill beat/bassline and sci-fi synth to provide the repeated melody. It has an RnB element with the lighter hi-hats and triangle sound. The rap is undoubtedly UK style and the flow is good contrasting nicely with the singing in the chorus. The heavy weight and power come through more in ‘Alive & Kicking’ which would sound amazing in an underground party due to the very present bass and sharp strings that create tension. D Double E and Wiley feature on ‘Built This City’ which has a gorgeous production with Hip-Hop bassline, atmospheric guitar sound (which I LOVE) and Drill beat with topper. The flow works well against the music and there is variety here as each verse has ad-libs or a slightly different structure keeping it interesting.

‘Heritage’ begins with distorted, retro synths and then bursts into more of a chaotic sound. He references his peers in the industry and then the audio chorus comes in talking about making money and “playing the game”. There is a short audio around 2:15 in before it comes back to the music. It then goes into a skit between a man and a woman talking about relationships and single people. ‘Mite Text’ has both a fast-paced synth melody on repeat in the background under a UK rap beat and magical FX and flow. ‘Grime Boy – SBK’ is a clear message about how he IS the Grime genre and how his work hasn’t stopped in the studio from boy to man. It’s got that crazy synth on repeat, bassline and hard beats that will make a crowd go mad. You definitely have to move to this one. Rinsa features on ‘Believe’ has got that chaotic energy for sure. It keeps that UK Grime style with chimes in the background and synths making it haunting overall with the singing enhancing that.

‘Russian Roulette’ opens with “run that beat” on repeat with a heavy, brassy bassline and lighter beat. It’s a bit more steady than the other songs. Light chimes open ‘Ain’t The Same’ (ft. Jme) which has a dreamy, haunting, atmospheric melody in the background to accompany a more chilled out beat. It’s a catchy one looking “pain and truth”. I like the dramatic opening to ‘King Cobra’ featuring Tyrell Trey which definitely looks at his place in the industry and the city. It’s got a bassline and beat you can move to and the flow is great here. I like the chorus element of it that slows it down with a hi-hat topper to carry it through. Jodie Bea features on ‘Innocence’ which begins with audio and slow, cinematic wave synths and then a retro melody with a fast stop-start beat. This one tells a story and the female vocals here soften it and add that dreamy, romantic feel.

‘Letters to My Son’ (ft. Jude The Obscure) is a slower, heartfelt song with reflective lyrics about his own life and the future. It’s got a nice RnB/Hip-Hop beat to it with background music on repeat that compliments the tone of the song. The final track is one that you can turn up to featuring Biggaman. ‘The Jerk Man’ has this light synth piano on repeat with a busy set of beats and then silence every so often to let the bassline shine. The flow will have you moving as it brings attack and playful lyrics.

This album would be perfect for an underground party in the city at night where you can appreciate the bassline, beats and flow featured in these tracks.