Fifteen years into his profession, dancehall kingpin Andrae Sutherland, AKA Popcaan, feels on prime of the world. On his fifth album, Nice Is He, he expresses gratitude for his rise with loads of basic dancehall braggadocio – and who might blame him? From worldwide collaborations with Gorillaz, Jamie xx and Pusha T, to promoting out Wembley SSE area in 2018, his distinctive singjaying has left an indelible mark on the tradition.
Opening observe Defeat the Battle is a touching ode to ambition and upward mobility: “Ghetto yutes which have a dream,” he sings, “don’t ever let it go.” Then we’re thrown into the metal drums of Freshness, on which he boasts about “thousands and thousands make one week”. The refrain of “Prada mi Prada, Gucci mi Gucci” is powerfully catchy, and throughout the album there are vividly evocativereferences to luxurious items that conjure imagery of fierce drip. His mentor, Vybz Kartel, confirmed off his Clarks; Popcaan reveals off “contemporary Louis V, contemporary Nike Air”.
However this rags-to-riches narrative rapidly feels hackneyed, and the album itself proves bloated. Although Popcaan’s vocals are persistently slick, you attain New Benz and marvel what goal such a observe serves the album past letting us know in regards to the “New Benz, new yard”. The origin story spun on St Thomas Native feels leaden somewhat than inspiring. And by the point penultimate observe Previous Life, and the “crackers and water” food plan it speaks of, comes round, the message loses influence. Closing observe Nice Is He, with its gospel backing vocals and reward of the “most excessive”, is equally boring, and appears like falling asleep at midnight mass. Luxurious and gratitude are advantageous motifs, however with out sufficient sonic distinction between tracks it will get boring quick.
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