7/10

When she first emerged back in 2016, Nadia Rose made a huge impression on the scene. With her effervescent hit 'Skwod' earning her a MOBO and landing in the top five of the BBC Sound of 2017 poll, she has since spent the last few years releasing a wave of bold and intrinsic offerings, all under the shadow of major label support. But now looking to reinvent herself as an independent artist, she returns with her latest EP 'First Class', a release that sees her pursue a more adventurous route and build the foundations of a new age in her career.

From the very start, 'First Class' makes itself known as something far more diverse than her previous cuts. With opener 'Sugar Zaddy' unleashing a rapid-fire flow and bouncing production, it is clear that Nadia Rose is moving in a more progressive direction on her newest collection. From there, we are treated to a wave of smooth yet captivating grooves that showcase more of her individual personality and give us a raw insight into where her head is currently.

While its eclectic feel does give it a more disconnected vibe than some of her previous collections, 'First Class' is more of a statement release than anything else. With these five tracks she is telling us that we are witnessing a new birth for the artist, someone who has far more ideas about what to do next than she can manage, giving us serious hope for her future on the scene.