Loyle Carner - hopefully !. LP
‘hopefully !’ is the stunningly lush and refined fourth studio album from UK rapper, producer, poet, and now singer Loyle Carner. It marks something of a shake-up, incorporating jazz-inspired booming breakbeats, delicate nylon-string guitars, and a low, humble croon that wouldn't sound out of place on 6 Feet Beneath the Moon by King Krule.
Never considering himself a singer, he recorded takes as “placeholders” for a collaboration that never materialized— a happy accident gave us his crushingly moving, down-to-earth mumbles. His previous records are confident and inspired rap albums, but they don't quite have the soul and purpose he shows here. It feels like he’s floating. His voice is the glue that holds it all together; leaving in imperfections and voice cracks elevating Carner’s effortless relatability.
Brimming with his distinctive personality, he takes your hand and walks you through the life of a young father—the struggles, highs, challenges, and the new lease on life and perspective that fatherhood brings, it feels like an exhale after the chaos. Deeply personal—almost as if you’re looking over his shoulder while he jots down thoughts and musings in a diary.
Not a rap record in the traditional sense, it’s a fairly skeletal album within the hip-hop space; he leaves ample room for his storytelling to take center stage… Phased breaks, carefully considered piano lines flow into booming bass & breezy guitar. Warm and inviting, with a childlike glow around the edges—not unlike the finishing touches on the album cover, seemingly done by his kids. ‘hopefully !’ is an album that keeps on giving the more you allow it to—a beautiful lesson in not taking the little things for granted.
For fans of King Krule, Noname, Saba & Mo' Wax
Tracklisting:
feel at home
in my mind
all i need
lyin
time to go
horcrux
strangers
hopefully (feat. Benjamin Zephaniah)
purpose (feat. Navy Blue)
don't fix it (feat. Nick Hakim)
about time
