Little Simz: Stillness in Wonderland review – variety, agility and candour

Following a lauded debut release and praise from Kendrick Lamar and Jay Z, 22-year-old rapper Little Simz is joined on her second album by grime MCs Chip and Ghetts, the Internet’s vocalist Syd and fellow Space Age Collective members. London-born Simz speaks candidly about love, growing up and intuition as she journeys down the rabbit hole of self-discovery. The album’s mix of soul, R&B, grime and trippy, jazz-tinged interludes is at times a little muddled, but Simz’s lyrical agility and deft rapping sit comfortably with a variety of production styles. Perhaps unexpectedly, her vocals fare better over hazy, strung-out guitar riffs (Poison Ivy, LMPD) than heavy basslines (Bad to the Bone).