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Album Reviews
Album Review: Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy (Ninja Tune)
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 1 June 2009
This is an incredibly moving album from a young south London rapper with a delicate, affecting voice which tugs the heartstrings over a mainly acoustic backing with tales of tough times and a search for redemption and catharsis. ‘Better Days’, featuring the vocals of Micachu, and ‘Spinnin’ are both prime examples of the theme, as the world keeps turning regardless of the tough times; ‘Go Then, Bye’ charts a break up, and describes the emotions of love and hate at the same time, at not being able to carry on but not wanting to split up. This leads into ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’, which is about how her relationship with her father has affected her relationships with other men and how she struggles to trust. Roots Manuva guests on ‘Wheels in Motion’ and brings in some political aspects, but the lyrics on this album, although inspired by living in an unfair society, are a deeply personal response to the world Speech Debelle finds herself living in. ‘Live and Learn’ and ‘Working Weak’ offer a reflective and amusing take on the world of work and getting by – “like Jackie from HR drinks 2 litres a day” – whilst ‘Finish this Album’ is a brilliant evocation of the creative process, inspiring and self deprecating in equal measure, speaking of the need to live better and do it on her own terms to achieve the goal of what we are listening to. I am extremely glad she got here, and I hope she has massive success, because there is a real talent here. IM
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