A decade after the debut of her Drop series, acclaimed British rapper Little Simz surprised her fans with the unexpected release of the Drop 7 EP. Drop 7 is yet another succinct collection, boasting razor-sharp delivery – the Drop releases allow Simz space for experimentation and act as marker for future long players, this time introducing high-energy dance rhythms to the mix.
The statement EP opens with ‘Mood Swings’. A hypnotic track, its club-oriented beats are crafted by producer Jakwob, also known for his work with dance and electronic artists such as Nia Archives and Shygirl. The song establishes the mood for what quickly follows, as Simz fires through introspective lyrics against a backdrop of vibrant melodies and deep R&B grooves. In ‘Fever’, Simz effortlessly transitions between various tongues as she humbly celebrates her achievements in the lines, ‘Can you believe that we made it this far? Still the same me that I’ve been from the start / I know what I bring, I’ve been playing my part.’
The theme of self-validation continues in the lyrics of ‘Torch’, a ferociously addictive track where Simz declares ‘Nothin’ left to prove ‘cause I done enough’. ‘SOS’ begins with echoing drums before the Brazilian rhythms pick up and beckon listeners back to the dance floor. As the tempo mellows, tracks like ‘I Ain’t Feelin It’ and ‘Power’ offer rich, contemplative sounds. Closing with the dreamy piano intro of ‘Far Away’, the record seems to end on a serene note before transitioning seamlessly into another lively bouncy number, perfectly drawing the collection to its close.
While some similarities might be drawn between this new work and Beyonce’s club-ready Renaissance album released in 2022, including a resemblance in the silver, metallic-style album artwork, Simz continues to affirm her uniqueness.
Drop 7 is out now on Forever Living Originals via AWAL Recordings
Main Photo Credit: Karolina Wielocha
