TY’s Closer is the new release from Ninja Tune’s subsidarary label Big Dada Records. One of the most exciting hip hop labels around these days, Big Dada is the home of alt. hip hop luminaries like Roots Manuva, Clouddead, The Infesticons and Spank Rock. One of the UK label’s current rising stars is London-based TY. His 2003 debut long play Upwards was incredibly well received, and he now follows it with Closer, a twelve track LP of original tunes featuring reputable guests like De La Soul, Speech and Maceo.
The album picks up where Upwards left off. TY strikes a wonderful balance between independent hip hop (at his most experimental, think Anti Pop Consortium) and an accessible sound (Kanye West).
His production techniques feature deep, distorted basslines, light and airy percussion, g-funk synths and classic stabs. His voice has a gorgeous Brixton timbre and, indeed, there’s a decidedly UK sound about Closer. TY uses fundamentally British influence, such as drum ‘n’ bass or garage, and wraps it up in a blanket of very enjoyable hip hop.
In parts the album lacks substance, tracks like ‘What You Want’ work on the initial listen but the hook gets a little grating on multiple hearings. Then tunes like the wonderfully electro-infused ‘Oh!’ and the melodies of ‘Sweating For Your Salary’ or ‘The Idea’ sound as fresh as a daisy and work well, through their originallity. All in all, fans of good quality independent hip hop will get big kicks from this record, but it’s not quite the innovative slap across the face I’d hoped.