No Skips, No Doubt, Lotus is Little Simz at her Best

If we needed a reminder of who’s dominating the UK rap scene right now, then Lotus does just that. Not that we ever forgot...

There’s something special about an album that doesn’t just demand your attention but earns it, track by track. With each track distilled into a single, striking word, Lotus embraces simplicity in form while delivering complexity in sound. A masterclass in versatility. In her sixth studio album, Little Simz weaves through genres, tones, and textures with ease, pairing sharp-witted lyricism with production that is both inventive, sometimes cinematic and always emotionally charged. From the sting of betrayal to the quiet ache of self-doubt, these themes are crafted into something powerful. I don’t say this lightly: this is a no-skips album, we all know that. 

Following the critical acclaim of 2021’s Mercury Prize-winning Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and the continued momentum of 2022’s NO THANK YOU, it's no secret that Little Simz is a force to be reckoned with. Parting with her long-time manager just before receiving her Mercury win might have signaled a period of uncertainty for some, but Simz doubled down, releasing NO THANK YOU just two months later. That record explored the complexities of navigating a male-dominated industry with honesty and without fear. Now, with Lotus, she returns with more intention than ever.  

Lotus feels deeply personal, sharply directed, and undeniably powerful. Titling the project Lotus in reference to the flower that blooms through muddy waters, an ode to resilience through adversity, Simz explained on the iconic Chicken Shop Date that the name signifies “regardless of where you grew up, or what you’ve been through, you can still become something extraordinary.” 

Following the lawsuit against her longtime producer in March this year, though neither party has publicly spoken on it, hints of betrayal seep through tracks like ‘Hollow’ as she calls out a “day one” with witty bars and a venomous flow. With a calm, composed delivery that cuts deeper than rage ever could, Simz calls people out with such precision that you’d never want to be on the wrong side of her, and dream to be on the right one. Lotus however is not an album filled with anger, it’s a journey of understanding and acceptance. We can't change people but we can always better ourselves, "if you want greener grass you need to water where you are". 

Opening with the moody yet powerful ‘Thief’ clocking in at exactly four minutes, featuring jittery percussion intertwined with heavy bass, this track instantly asserts Little Simz’s position as one of the most formidable voices in the UK rap scene. Her flow and lyricism collide with effortless intensity, creating a natural yet commanding presence. From the very first bars, she weaves in themes that resonate throughout the album, buckling listeners up on the complex road that is Lotus. What a journey we are in for. No one does it like Simz. From the first song we are lyrically locked in with production that makes Lotus feel like a feature film. Maintaining the same mystical flow, ‘Flood’ follows with the first Obongjayar feature - a flawless match with his unique voice and style blending seamlessly, enhancing the mood and elevating the song’s vibe without overpowering it. Shifting gears from the more serious tone, we hear Simz having fun on ‘Young’, her silver screen talents shine through this track as she honours Amy Whinehouse. ‘Young’ already feels like a throwback, almost Blur-esque, channeling that iconic era of British music with a modern twist. There’s seemingly a genre shift as we reach ‘Only’, this track brings that classic, bouncy Little Simz flow we know and love. A subtle piano perfectly complements the flirty yet poignant lyricism throughout. We continue on this relaxed tone through ‘Free’ and ‘Peace’ which is fitting for the titles. This isn’t an album centered on just one story, each track speaks to a different soul, offering something for everyone to connect with, with production that appeals to every ear. The range compiled into one album is a challenging task that Simz executes perfectly. Have I mentioned, no one does it like Simz? Might have. 

I could go into every song on this album, every song deserves its own entire review, so I'll stop myself there and go forth with my honourable mentions. My favourite track on Lotus after my first listen is ‘Blood’ flowing as a phone call featuring Wretch 32 where they speak as siblings discussing family matters, presence and distance physically and emotionally. Stabbing a knife directly through the part of your heart where unconditional love lays. How can they make such an intentional conversion into such a beautiful track? With a contrasting chorus from Cashh, 'Blood’ tickles all the right places of listeners' brains. The lyric “I’m all I needed to get through” from the track ‘Lonely’  captures that universal experience of facing the journey to reaching our goals alone, where we become both our own best friend and worst enemy. Tackling self-doubt with such raw honesty, especially as one of the greatest rappers of our generation, is both a courageous and deeply comforting act.

Little Simz doesn’t just meet expectations, she exceeds them, crafting an album that is as ambitious as it is intimate, as genre-defying as it is deeply personal. With razor-sharp lyricism, masterful storytelling, and production that feels cinematic at every turn, Lotus is a compelling testament to resilience, growth, and artistic evolution. This is more than an album, it’s a statement, a reminder that Little Simz is not only here to stay but to lead, inspire, and redefine what it means to be a true voice of our generation. Lotus stands out as a beacon of creative excellence and emotional truth. Will anything be able to top this for album of the year? Unlikely.

★★★★★