Album Review: Kae Tempest, Self Titled

Kae Tempest tears out of the traps on the fantastic album opener, ‘I Stand On The Line’, a declamatory epistle from present Self to past Self, a love letter to the transgender community, and indeed a manifesto for all peoples who are thwarted in their being, to rage and simply be.

‘Statue In The Square’ doubles down on that declaration, with Tempest spitting, “We’ve been there from the start and we ain’t going anywhere”. Grammy-winning producer Fraser T. Smith spurred Kae to be actively involved in the production of the LP, and encouraged him to write in the first person. Exhibit A of that process is ‘Know Yourself’, which celebrates the prime influence of Wu-Tang on their teenage self:“Now I sit among crates of rhyme books / And I thank the little me that put the work in”.

Elsewhere, ‘Sunshine On Catford’ is a wonderful benediction to place with a brilliant Neil Tennant cameo, whilst the Eastern-singed ‘Bless The Bold Future’ finds Tempest at the peak of his powers. The lyricist paints an epic existential battle, where it “takes a maverick to stand in the crosshairs and say I won’t have it.”

Blaring in on a klaxon, ‘Diagnoses’ is a masterclass in scything wordplay, whilst ‘Breathe’ is the irresistible sound of a five-star general marshalling a studio. Marvellous stuff.

9/10

Out now