Album Review: Mura Masa, Mura Masa

Staying grounded is challenging when you’re a young artist who has been quickly catapulted from bedroom producer to award-winning Stormzy collaborator. Apparently, no one bothered to tell 21-year-old Guernsey native Alex Crossan, aka Mura Masa.
Using a moniker taken from a 16th-century Japanese swordsmith was a prescient choice; Mura Masa’s songwriting has incredible precision. Clearly, other musicians agree. Mura Masa boasts numerous big-name guest appearances, including A$AP Rocky, Damon Albarn, Charlie XCX, and Dublin’s own Bonzai, amongst many others.
Picking only a few key tracks is almost impossible, with virtually every song bringing something ear-catching to the table. Still, kaleidoscopic hip-hop number ‘Love$ick’, the trap-influenced ‘All Around The World’, and the pop-inspired ‘1 Night’ deserve particularly special mention – all are destined to be playlist staples for the rest of the summer.
Combining the bright steel-drum samples of tropical house with the lessons of future house, trap, and electro-pop, Mura Masa is loaded with potential hits. In addition, its slick production puts Crossan in the same elite category as master groove technicians like Jamie xx and Clams Casino.