Heavy is the Head

As a great Stormzy enthusiast from the start of his career, my interest was particularly piqued when he came out with 16 tracks that were rumored to tell his story of the past few years in the most blunt, confident and personable way. Being no stranger to the hardships of the spotlight, following his highly public split with Maya Jama and seemingly eternal feud with fellow UK rapper Wiley, it is no surprise that Stormzy had plenty to write about by 2019. A perfect concoction of cockiness, vulnerability and honesty, Stormzy seems to find his truth on Heavy is the Head, and doesn’t fail to be ludicrously catchy while doing it.

The opening track ‘Big Michael’ might not be my favourite track or something that I’d listen to on its own, but it ticks all the boxes for an opening track. Starting out with some punchy fanfares and the more than slightly juvenile announcement of “said I went mainstream suck you’re mum, not top two top one”, Stormzy makes it clear that he’s back with vengeance. Not the most interesting track lyrically or musically, following through with the fanfares and a heavy base in the background, it still comes with some punchy one liners that are his signature- One week it’s “Blinded By Your Grace” Next week it’s bang you in your face. The purpose of this track was to announce his arrival back onto the grime scene, and it did so successfully.

The next track ‘Audacity’ is one of my firm favourites, with a flow as smooth as butter, crisp production and a verse by Headie one who always manages to integrate himself seamlessly onto whatever track he appears on, this is definitely going to be a chart topper.

On Rachael’s little brother Stormzy reveals his softer, more vulnerable side, discussing the highs and lows of fame, including his struggles with mental health “I bottle up and then I spill it to my therapist, it’s not a healthy way of livin’ but we livin’ still, tryna fill empty voids with 7-figure deals, Setraline and nicotine I hit it ’til it heals” which is both refreshing and inspiring for young people to hear their idols breaking the taboo of not talking about their struggles as well as their successes.

‘Do Better’ is another beautiful display of vulnerability, showing Stormzy questioning his life decisions and the path that he’s going down with some intimate one liners that take us into his worlds both past and present. “Was a troublesome yout, had desire for war, Bought my mummy a coupe, she nearly cried on the floor. A chorus with an undeniable nostalgic feel, you can’t go wrong with this brutally honest track.

‘On One Second’ Stormzy experiments with an R&B/ pop vibe featuring the queen of R&B herself, H.E.R. A catchy background piano and H.E.R’s sultry tones compliment Stormzy’s flow beautifully. Perhaps not the most inspiring lyrically, it proved to be an all round high quality pop track.

Stormzy delivers Wiley flow with confidence and more witty one liners “All my n*ggas been charged don’t AMP me, have your Mrs. in her bra and panty” over a punchy drill beat.

Final verdict: 8.5/10

A bold mix of Stormzy’s highest highs and lowest lows, pop tunes and grime beats, Stormzy showcases how his musical diversity and brutal honesty makes for a best selling album.