Album Review: Ghostpoet - Some Say I So I Say Light
- Written by Ryan Lake
Following up on the Mercury prize nominated Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam, Ghostpoet returns with his second full release Some Say I So I Say Light.
If you're new to the world of Coventry's own Ghostpoet, prepare for down-tempo stream of consciousness storytelling and cleverly engineered electronic beats. You could describe his style as sounding a bit like Roots Manuva on Ketamine, substituting dub influences for afro beat. 'Low's intensity drawls assist in framing the pictures painted by the dark shadowy lyrical imagery “...try and crowbar a smile & it works for a while/ forecasts bleak, dark clouds circling, rain & sleet
Characteristically honest, Ghostpoet clings to the realities of life, with tales of satisfactory fast food “...Dim sum & noodles make me feel alright” & social awkwardness at parties “...I plus one scenarios, sit back & watch
This album proves Ghostpoet's ability to express wisdom and world weariness of a man much wiser than his years, shrouded in darkness and sorrow. Its not all doom & gloom, carefully placed strings & synth stabs bring brief surges of positivity and hope.
'Meltdown' was the first single to be released from SSISISL. This track expertly blends the chilling vocals of Brighton songwriter Woodpecker Wooliams, with Ghost's softly presented tale of a broken relationship delivered impeccably.
He calls in the band on 'Plastic Bag Brain' (Tony Allen on drums and Dave Okumu from The Invisible on guitar) to create a shuffling afro-beat influenced tale of a man seeking guidance, a helping hand “...Take me to a place I would rather go/ I seldom know”
If you're familiar with previous releases, you may be able to notice that there has been outside influence on the production of this album. Unlike the self-produced Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam, Some Say I So I Say Light was crafted with help from talented producer Richard Formby (Wild Beasts, Darkstar, Egyptian Hip-Hop). This album has a 'fuller' feel in comparison to the previous release, the beats feel weightier and the songs form a fantastic sound-scape.
A very respectable follow up to a highly rated, mercury nominated debut, we probably wouldn't be surprised if Some Say I So I Say Light matches or even surpasses the accolades afforded to its predecessor.
Some Say I So I Say Light is out on May 6 and is available from amazon