Mercury Prize-nominated rapper Slowthai has announced his upcoming album Ugly – set to be released on March 3 – will feature a handful of collaborations, including Fontaines D.C.

Ugly was produced by Speedy Wunderground founder Dan Carey, who also produced all three of the Irish band's acclaimed albums: 2019's Dogrel, 2020's A Hero's Death, and 2022's Skinty Fia. Last year, we reported that Carey had shared footage of Slowthai and Fontaines D.C. working together in the studio.

The Northampton rapper also released the music video for his new single off the upcoming album called ‘Selfish’, which shows him stuck in a room surrounded entirely by mirrors with nothing to look at but himself.

“This album was me trying to emulate the spirit of the brotherhood ethos that bands have,” Slowthai said in a statement. “I really felt like I didn’t want to rap, whereas before, rap was the only way I could express myself with the tools I had. Now that I have more freedom to create and do more, why wouldn’t we change it up?”

Slowthai explained that Ugly is an acronym for “U Gotta Love Yourself”, an expression that has deep meaning to him when it comes to his music and life. “I have UGLY tattooed on my face because it’s a reminder to love myself, rather than put myself down constantly or feel the impression people have of me should determine who I am as a person.”

Slowthai’s last album, Tyron, came out in February 2021 and was critically acclaimed. Hot Press’ Kate Brayden praised Tyron for its brutal honesty in exploring serious matters such as mental illness, loneliness and grief. “The raw energy that made him a rising star on his 2019 debut Nothing Great About Britain hasn’t dulled, but Slowthai has matured beyond measure,” Brayden writes.

Ugly will also feature collaborations with Ethan P. Flynn, Kwes Darko, Jockstrap’s Taylor Skye, Beabadoobee guitarist Jacob Bugden and drummer Liam Toon.

You can watch the music video for ‘Selfish’ below.

Revisit our 2021 interview with Slowthai here.