Ghostpoet: Dark Days + Canapés review – languid and assured

(PIAS)

It’s a depressing time to be alive, according to Ghostpoet. After years of heavy-hearted introspection, the twice Mercury-nominated Obaro Ejimiwe turns his gaze outwards on his fourth album, offering a sombre outlook on society with tracks such as the apocalyptic Karoshi (“stockpile food, panic button glued in place”) and harrowing Immigrant Boogie. There’s occasional soul-searching between the social commentary – Woe Is Meee, Ejimiwe’s second collaboration with Massive Attack’s Daddy G, is a bluesy highlight. Once again, Ejimiwe forgoes the disjointed electronic sounds of his first two records in favour of a hazy alt-rock backing, but he’s now at home in this style and his languid, sung-spoken monologues sound their most assured.

Freakshow by Ghostpoet – video.

Contributor

Isa Jaward

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Ghostpoet: I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep review – dark but defiant
The ruminative British singer returns with an album freighted with worries

Kitty Empire

02, May, 2020 @1:00 PM

Article image
Ghostpoet: Dark Days + Canapés review – grey-sky thinking about modern life

Harriet Gibsone

17, Aug, 2017 @9:30 PM

Article image
Arab Strap: As Days Get Dark review – less callow, more crafted
The caustic duo forge existential stories from tinny beats on their first album in 16 years

Kitty Empire

07, Mar, 2021 @9:00 AM

Article image
Mattiel: Satis Factory review – witty and assured garage rock
(Heavenly)

Emily Mackay

09, Jun, 2019 @6:59 AM

Article image
The Charlatans: Different Days review – a very comfortable groove
(BMG)

Damien Morris

28, May, 2017 @7:00 AM

Article image
Ghostpoet: Shedding Skin review – tentative hopes for happier times
After his troubled second album, the downbeat rapper sounds more at ease on its melancholy follow-up

Killian Fox

01, Mar, 2015 @8:00 AM

Article image
Ghostpoet: soundtrack of my life
The Mercury-nominated rapper on dancing to UB40 as a child and his Muddy Waters obsession

Interview by Killian Fox

29, Mar, 2015 @7:00 AM

Article image
Black Midi: Hellfire review – exhilarating ambition
The Londoners freely cram genres and ideas into their concept album about death

Phil Mongredien

17, Jul, 2022 @8:00 AM

Article image
Teenage Fanclub review – mellow fellows
Scotland’s indie veterans play nice, as ever. But you can’t help wishing for just a little Teenage angst…

Kitty Empire

04, Dec, 2016 @9:00 AM

Article image
Fat White Family review – growing up disgracefully
The disreputable Brixton art rockers are touting their new album as a rebirth. It’s bound to be gory

Kitty Empire

02, Feb, 2019 @2:00 PM