Album Reviews

After a three-year delay, the kinetic East London grime MC Dizzee Rascal defies expectations with Maths + English, delivering a pop-influenced, vaguely mainstream album, drawing almost as much from various American rap styles as he does from the deep and gnarled scene from which he emerged five years ago. Maths + English, available since last summer in the U.K. but only now getting a full Stateside release with some exclusive tracks, is a surprisingly melodic album, with fuller and more rounded beats than the tinny, lo-fi sounds that defined Dizzee Rascal’s debut album Boy in Da Corner or its 2004 follow-up Showtime.

The heavy, unrelenting rock foundation of "Sirens" marks a significant step away from Dizzee Rascal's original minimalist grime roots, and a track like "Suk My Dick"–a decidedly to-the-point title–is bouncier, quicker and more playful than anything he's done in the past. The synths and drills of grime take a backseat on "Where Da G's," which features Houston crew UGK in a hugely successful transatlantic collaboration, and American sounds work their way into "Bubbles," a song whose weird production nods towards Timbaland. Brit it-girl Lily Allen shows up on the tune "Wanna Be," though it's mostly a throwaway track with a pseudo-ska lilt and little substance. Listeners who make it to "U Can't Tell Me Nuffin"–the thirteenth of an excessive 16 songs–will find shadows of Dizzee Rascal's past, in the oppressive beats, paranoia and unhinged boasting.

For someone who almost single-handedly introduced grime to an international audience, Dizzee Rascal's taking a brave step turning away from the genre's signifiers; his layered talents as a rapper, arranger and producer, however, keep him from stumbling.

—"Chris Hassiotis"
04.29.08