8/10

Over the last year or so, there has been next to no-one that has pushed forward the sound of UK rap as much as Little Simz. Despite finding a strong and confident guise through a rich and vibrant mix of EP and album releases over the last decade, it was her 2019 full-length 'GREY Area' that saw her move from another name on the scene to a true leader of boundary-pushing intensity. And it feels that the wave of confidence she has been riding ever since has persuaded her to return with another short but powerful collection of incredible new offerings in the form of 'Drop 6'.

Stretching back as far as 2014, Little Simz has used her "Drop" series to explore new musical possibilities and ultimately keep her sound as fresh as possible before she moves onto the next big idea. But 'Drop 6' feels like she is more than just discovering herself, instead it moves very much like the next evolutionary step for her direction. Rather than creating a fresh hybrid of the RnB and hip-hop intention she has always fallen back on, this one feels far more punchy than her usual output, creating a fast-paced and solid collection of rap stompers than showcase her immaculate and driven flow.

'Drop 6' may have been a self-produced string of consciousness forged during the coronavirus lockdown, but it still feels like a very real and powerful performance from an artist that just can't be stopped right now. Little Simz has grown to one of those rare acts that can just put stunning music together without much effort, and it only seems to be getting better.