Little Simz - Lotus

"Thief" releases this sixth studio album without any frills, marking a clear departure from the production style of Inflo/Cleo Sol that characterized the previous three albums. A creative turning point, brought to you by AWAL: Released on June 6, 2025, under the Little Simz label and exclusively licensed to AWAL Recordings Ltd, Lotus marks a return to a minimalist and independent approach, following the financial disagreements that led to the split with Inflo. The total duration of 49 minutes and 55 seconds for 13 tracks reveals a brisk pace, that of an album that doesn't suffer from any lulls but progresses with a clear awareness of its own healing process. The British artist, born in 1994, further solidifies her status as a prolific figure in experimental hip-hop, blending elements of rap, jazz, punk, and funk. The lotus flower, blooming in muddy water, serves as a metaphor that structures the album as a journey of inner transformation, with Little Simz's voice remaining at the heart of the work. She explores complex life stages without relying on the signature sound of a single producer. A vocal tapestry at the heart of the project: The album begins with "Thief," a solitary track that immediately establishes a sense of pure introspection before the collaborative element begins. This opening segment serves as a buffer zone, allowing the artist to establish their presence and showcase their full range of talent before sharing the stage. The rest of the album alternates between solo tracks and collaborations, creating an initial dynamism that establishes a steady pace. This narrative structure doesn't divide the album into distinct chapters, but rather maintains a smooth flow throughout the 13 tracks on the tracklist. Each solo track serves as a foundation between collaborations, ensuring that the main artist remains the central focus of the entire project, even when collaborators are involved. Obongjayar and the neo-soul textures: The collaborative aspect is prominent throughout the album, with eight tracks featuring established artists. Each contributor brings a unique perspective, transforming the album into a collective exploration of themes such as grief, pressure, and spirituality. The album doesn't simply string together a series of guest appearances; instead, it uses the voices of these collaborators to create a unique atmosphere, where each collaboration serves a specific purpose. This density of musical material creates a richness of texture that reinforces the experimental nature of the project. The presence of diverse voices, from singers to rappers, allows Little Simz to experiment with new sounds and push her vocal boundaries without ever sacrificing her artistic identity. Moses Sumney and the contribution of female voices: The collaboration with Obongjayar definitively grounds the album in a hybrid soul/neo-soul texture. On "Flood," the guest artist re-establishes a connection that was previously forged during their collaboration on "Point and Kill" (Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021)), confirming an artistic synergy that goes beyond a simple collaboration. Obongjayar's double vocals, combined with those of Moonchild Sanelly, enrich the atmosphere of the track with a deep soulfulness. Later in the album, "Lion" features a second appearance by Obongjayar, suggesting the recurring importance of his vocals, which form a significant part of the project. These two instances highlight how this vocal collaborator actively contributes to Little Simz's artistic development, going beyond simply appearing on a track together. The epilogue and the theme of transformation: In "Peace," Moses Sumney further explores the integration of jazz and funk elements into the artist's hip-hop soundscape. Her presence, combined with that of Miraa May, strengthens the experimental nature of the album by introducing soul/neo-soul sounds that contrast with the more raw and basic elements of the solo tracks. The track "Only" features Lydia Kitto, whose female vocals add a distinct sonic texture that enriches the album's vocal landscape. Yukimi, on the track "Enough," joins this ensemble of female voices, further highlighting the diversity present on the project. Each contribution, whether from a male or female voice, is designed to offer a specific contrast or complement to the main voice, thereby avoiding any sonic repetition. Final assessment: The album gradually progresses towards "Blue," the final track, concluding with a theme of healing and transformation. This gradual conclusion provides coherence to the narrative arc initiated by "Thief," creating a narrative loop where resilience is the central theme. Critical reception praised the work as one of the most emotionally impactful, with an average score of 86 on Metacritic and 8.6 on AnyDecentMusic?. As Kyann-Sian Williams of NME writes, Little Simz is here stripped down to her core, allowing us to witness her healing process in real time with admirable vulnerability. The album doesn't aim to please solely through its sound, but rather through the sincerity of the lyrics, which address themes of burnout, pressure, and the necessary process of rebuilding. This sixth studio album continues the prolific output of the English artist, who has already released five albums between 2015 and 2022, including A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons, Stillness in Wonderland, Grey Area, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, and No Thank You. The discography timeline confirms that Lotus follows the release of their first EP, Drop 7, in 2024, and the single "Hello, Hi" in December of the same year, marking a period of great creative output before the official announcement of the project on February 26, 2025. The documented context reveals that the album is a result of a financial dispute with his long-time producer, Inflo. This conflict led to a legal challenge regarding a debt estimated at £1.7 million, and ultimately resulted in the end of their artistic partnership, which had begun long before these events. The album's extensive tracklist skillfully alternates between seven solo tracks and eight collaborations, confirming the artist's strategy of exploring new sounds without sacrificing their creative independence. Artists like Obongjayar, who appears with two different tracks, Moses Sumney, Lydia Kitto, Miraa May, Yukimi, Wretch 32, Cashh, Michael Kiwanuka, Yussef Dayes, and Sampha, contribute to this hybrid project that blends hip-hop, jazz, punk, and funk. This arrangement allows Little Simz to move beyond simply accumulating guest appearances and instead build a narrative structure where each voice actively contributes to the story of transformation that begins with the opening track, "Thief," and culminates in the conclusion, "Blue." Lotus is positioned as a major work in Little Simz's career, marking a significant step in her artistic journey following No Thank You. It showcases an evolution towards a more introspective sound, where the production serves to enhance the vocal performance. The split with Inflo allowed them to create a more personal album, less reliant on an external influence to define its sonic atmosphere. With a total duration of 49 minutes and 55 seconds and 13 tracks, the album offers a level of density that leaves no room for criticism, with every minute contributing to the overall narrative.

Technical Details

- Release Date: June 6, 2025 - Label: Little Simz under exclusive license to AWAL Recordings Ltd - Tracks: 13 (49 minutes 55 seconds) - Opening/Closing Tracks: Thief / Blue - Featured Artists: Obongjayar, Moonchild Sanelly, Lydia Kitto, Moses Sumney, Miraa May, Yukimi, Wretch 32, Cashh, Michael Kiwanuka, Yussef Dayes, Sampha - Previous Album: NO THANK YOU (2022)