Tyron (album)

Tyron
Studio album by
Slowthai
Released12 February 2021 (2021-02-12)
Genre
Length35:17
Label
Producer
Slowthai chronology
Nothing Great About Britain
(2019) 		Tyron
(2021) 		Ugly
(2023)
Singles from Tyron
  1. "Feel Away"
    Released: 15 September 2020[1]
  2. "NHS"
    Released: 19 November 2020[2]
  3. "Mazza"
    Released: 5 January 2021[3]
  4. "Cancelled"
    Released: 9 February 2021[4]
  5. "Vex"
    Released: 15 February 2021[5]
  6. "ADHD"
    Released: 25 February 2021[6]

Tyron (stylised in all caps) is the second studio album by British rapper Slowthai. It was released on 12 February 2021 through Method Records.[7]

Background

In an interview with the BBC prior to the 2019 Mercury Prize, Frampton revealed that he had already planned his next two projects following his debut album Nothing Great About Britain (2019), explaining: "I've got the concepts and I've got the ideas and I've got the titles. I've even got names of songs and the messages. It's all there - I just have to go in and do the work".[8] He further said that he would continue to focus on social commentary on future work, but would "look for other angles to explain and express things".[8] At the event, he confirmed to NME that he had begun work on his second album, adding that it would showcase growth and "be its own entity" rather than a sequel to his debut album.[9] In an interview with Dazed in June 2020, Frampton said that listeners could expect "two sides of Tyron as a person" on the album, "the person who got to this place and the person who is trying to be", and elaborated that it would showcase both his softer and harder sides.[10] He further took influence from a wide array of artists including Westside Gunn, Deb Never, Jamie T and the Arctic Monkeys.[10]

Release

On 19 November 2020, Slowthai announced he was releasing his second studio album. The release would feature collaborations by ASAP Rocky, James Blake, Skepta, Dominic Fike, Denzel Curry, Mount Kimbie and Deb Never.[11]

Singles

On 15 September 2020, Slowthai released the first single "Feel Away".[1] The music video, directed by Oscar Hudson, features collaborations by James Blake and electronic duo Mount Kimbie.[12] Slowthai explained the single: "This song is about the doubts we have whether it be within friendships, your partner or with our family. It’s about putting yourself in the other person’s shoes so you have a better understanding of the situation."[13]

Slowthai released the second single "NHS" on 19 November 2020.[11] The single is a dedication to the UK's National Health Service, with Slowthai expanding his reasoning:

"When people were clapping for the NHS, my thing was, why did it take us this long to applaud something that's been helping people, saving lives for generations, generations, generations? Helping people longer than we’ve been alive? It took a disaster to make people appreciate the NHS. Clapping, how is that helping anyone? If we really want to help, why don't we do stuff to raise their wage or make it more comfortable for the people that are going to work them 12-hour, 14-hour shifts?"[14]

The third single "Mazza" was released on 5 January 2021, and features American rapper ASAP Rocky.[15] "Mazza" debuted at number 94 on the UK Singles Chart.[16] The fourth single "Cancelled" was released on 9 February 2021, and features a collaboration with Skepta.[17] The music video pays tribute to classic horror films such as American Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, Candyman, Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.[18] On 19 February 2021, the single debuted at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart.[19] On 15 February 2021, Slowthai released the music video to "Vex".[20] The sixth single "ADHD" was released on 25 February 2021.[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.3/10[21]
Metacritic78/100[22]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[23]
Consequence of SoundB+[24]
The Daily Telegraph[25]
The Independent[26]
The Irish Times[27]
NME[28]
The Observer[29]
Pitchfork7.1/10[30]
Rolling Stone[31]
The Times[32]

Tyron was met with positive reviews by music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 78, based on 25 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[22]

Commercial performance

In the UK, Tyron debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums in the week commencing 19 February 2021,[33] and number 1 on the UK R&B Chart.[34] In Scotland, it debuted at number 1[35] and number 2 in Ireland.[36]

Worldwide, the release debuted at number 11 in Australia,[37] number 43 in Austria,[38] number 24 on Belgium's Flanders chart and number 72 on their Wallonia chart,[39][40] number 53 in Netherland,[41] number 23 in Germany,[42] number 13 in New Zealand,[43] and number 24 in Switzerland.[44]

Track listing

Disc one
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."45 Smoke"
Darko1:58
2."Cancelled" (with Skepta)
  • Darko
  • Krash
  • Samo
2:19
3."Mazza" (with ASAP Rocky)
2:52
4."Vex"
  • Frampton
  • Darko
  • Krash
  • Castillano
  • Darko
  • Krash
  • Samo
2:19
5."Wot"
  • Frampton
  • Krash
  • Mayers
Krash0:48
6."Dead"
  • Frampton
  • Darko
Darko3:00
7."Play with Fire"
  • Frampton
  • Darko
Darko2:51
Disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Tried"
  • Frampton
  • Darko
  • Daniel Duke-Okeze
  • Trey Gruber
Duke-Okeze2:15
2."Focus"
  • Maker
  • Kenny Beats
2:05
3."Terms" (with Dominic Fike and Denzel Curry)
  • Frampton
  • Darko
  • Kenny Beats
  • JD. Reid
  • Dominic Fike
  • Denzel Curry
  • Maker
  • Kenny Beats
  • JD. Reid
3:13
4."Push" (with Deb Never)
  • Frampton
  • Darko
  • Maker
  • Gavin Michael Clark
  • Michael Percy
  • Deb Never
  • Darko
  • Maker
2:20
5."NHS"
  • Frampton
  • Darko
  • Krash
  • Castillano
  • Kiko
  • Darko
  • Krash
  • Samo
  • Kiko
3:26
6."Feel Away" (with James Blake and Mount Kimbie)
Maker3:21
7."ADHD"
  • Frampton
  • Darko
  • Castillano
  • Kiko
  • Slowthai
  • Darko
  • Samo
  • Kiko
2:30
Total length:35:17

Notes

  • All track titles from disc one are stylised in all caps, while all track titles from disc two are stylised in all lowercase.[7]
  • "I Tried" contains samples of "I Tried", written and performed by Trey Gruber.

Personnel

Vocals

Technical

Design

  • Crowns & Owls – creative direction, photography
  • Lewis Levi – creation direction
  • George Smith – art direction
  • Eddie Amos – set design
  • Louis Simonen – set design
  • Henry Hewitt – photography assistance
  • Morgan Shaw – photography assisatnce
  • Ellis Earl – production assistance

Charts

Chart performance for Tyron
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[37] 11
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[38] 43
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[39] 24
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[40] 72
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[41] 53
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[42] 23
Irish Albums (OCC)[36] 2
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[45] 24
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[43] 13
Scottish Albums (OCC)[35] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 24
UK Albums (OCC)[33] 1
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[34] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Silver 60,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b Richards, Will (15 September 2020). "Slowthai shares new track 'feel away' with James Blake and Mount Kimbie". NME. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  2. ^ Schatz, Lake (19 November 2020). "slowthai Announces New Album TYRON, Shares "nhs": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  3. ^ Darville, Jordan (7 January 2021). "Watch slowthai and A$AP Rocky's video for "MAZZA"". The Fader. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  4. ^ D'Souza, Shaad (9 February 2021). "Watch the video for slowthai and Skepta's "CANCELLED"". The Fader. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  5. ^ Krol, Charlotte (15 February 2021). "Slowthai announces intimate UK tour and shares video for new single 'VEX'". NME. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  6. ^ a b Skinner, Tom (25 February 2021). "Watch Slowthai's brooding new video for latest single 'ADHD'". NME. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  7. ^ a b "TYRON by slowthai on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  8. ^ a b Savage, Mark (14 September 2019). "Slowthai on the Mercury Prize: 'I've got daisies in my stomach'". BBC News. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  9. ^ Daly, Rhian (20 September 2019). "Slowthai discusses "brotherhood" with IDLES and says his second album will show "growth"". NME. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  10. ^ a b Dawson, Brit (19 June 2020). "slowthai on lockdown, the NME Awards, and his second album". Dazed. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  11. ^ a b Monroe, Jazz; Yoo, Noah (19 November 2020). "slowthai Announces New Album TYRON, Shares New Song "nhs"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  12. ^ Martoccio, Angie (15 September 2020). "Slowthai Gives Birth in 'Feel Away' Video, Featuring James Blake". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  13. ^ Ismael Ruiz, Matthew (15 September 2020). "slowthai Shares Video for New Song With James Blake and Mount Kimbie". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  14. ^ Clarke, Patrick (23 November 2020). "Slowthai discusses his new single paying tribute to the NHS". NME. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  15. ^ Ismael Ruiz, Matthew (5 January 2021). "slowthai and A$AP Rocky Share New Song "MAZZA"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  17. ^ Blistein, Jon (9 February 2021). "Slowthai, Skepta Recreate Classic Slasher Flicks in New 'Cancelled' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  18. ^ Skinner, Tom (9 February 2021). "Listen to Slowthai and Skepta's fierce new collaboration, 'Cancelled'". NME. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  20. ^ Hussey, Allison (15 February 2021). "slowthai Shares New Video for "VEX"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  21. ^ "TYRON by slowthai reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Tyron by slowthai Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  23. ^ Simpson, Paul. "Tyron – slowthai". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  24. ^ Thiessen, Christopher (12 February 2021). "slowthai's TYRON Resonates with Tales of Broken Dreams and Anthems of Mad Energy: Review". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  25. ^ McCormick, Neil (11 February 2021). "Slowthai: Tyron, review: the controversial rapper gets lost in second-album blues". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  26. ^ Brown, Helen (12 February 2021). "Slowthai review, TYRON: Charismatic artist is a self-saboteur on his second album". The Independent. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  27. ^ Bruton, Louise (12 February 2021). "Slowthai: Tyron – rapper explores the nuance often lost around cancel culture". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  28. ^ Bassett, Jordan (9 February 2021). "Slowthai – 'TYRON' review: introspection and self-discovery on an album of two halves". NME. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  29. ^ Morris, Damien (7 February 2021). "Slowthai: Tyron review – the sound and the fury". The Observer. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  30. ^ Pritchard, Will (15 February 2021). "Slowthai: TYRON Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  31. ^ Ihaza, Jeff (12 February 2021). "Slowthai Inspires Moshpit Energy and Shows More Emotion on 'Tyron'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  32. ^ Hodgkinson, Will (12 February 2021). "Slowthai: Tyron review — don't cancel him! He's got lots to say". The Times. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  33. ^ a b "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  34. ^ a b "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  35. ^ a b "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  36. ^ a b "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  37. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  38. ^ a b "Austriancharts.at – Slowthai – Tyron" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Ultratop.be – Slowthai – Tyron" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  40. ^ a b "Ultratop.be – Slowthai – Tyron" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  41. ^ a b "Dutchcharts.nl – Slowthai – Tyron" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  42. ^ a b "Offiziellecharts.de – Slowthai – Tyron" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  43. ^ a b "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  44. ^ a b "Swisscharts.com – Slowthai – Tyron". Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  45. ^ "2021 7-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  46. ^ "British album certifications – Slowthai – Tyron". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 March 2024.