If Lady Sovereign's debut album was the sound of young London coming right off the streets, the grime rapper's sophomore release, Jigsaw, is the sound of a weary and hesitant artist trying to rekindle some excitement after being dropped by the mighty Def Jam. Jigsaw has the same amount of saucy attitude as the first album, Public Warning, and there are almost as many laughable punch lines from the S-O-V, but a big problem is the electro-meets-grime-meets-indie productions from the returning Medasyn. These disappointingly thin constructions mix Panic at the Disco, La Roux, and Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me" in varying amounts, adding the occasional live drummer, chamber orchestra, or Cure sample in an effort to keep things interesting. It's only when the percussive "I Got the Goods" gets simple that the "top-notch bitch" is triggered, making a memorable chorus out of nothing but boasts. "On & On" features "I'm just trying to blow up like implants," "Food Play" is a fun mix of food and sex that could thrill the South Park character Chef, and the magic of "Guitar" lies in its wonderfully off-key "If I could play guitar then I'd play it/But I can't so I'll just siiiiiiiinnnnnnng." Without a key cut to anchor the album, these small victories are less desirable, acting as a second line behind meaningless anthems ("Let's Be Mates") and trying soul-searchers (the title cut). Without the instantly gripping singles, Jigsaw is as scattered as its title implies.
© David Jeffries /TiVo
*Affichez les mêmes albums mais avec des versions ou des codes-barres différents.