When I reviewed The Lyrical’s single “Fuck It All,” it was a Monday. That song and the day met in perfect harmony. Now it’s another Monday and I’m here preparing to write another Lyrical review, this time for his EP King of Me. There’s a lovely symmetry about that.
“Fuck It All” happens to be the opening track of this EP. It still strikes a chord with me so many months later. I love its cheery rebellion and reggae vibes. The single was such a standout for me, I wondered whether The Lyrical could sustain the momentum. However, King of Me is one of the best EPs I’ve heard in some time.
It features collaborations with some of my favourite female voices: Jac Stone on “Cheating” and Sahara Beck on the toe-tapper “Old Revolver.” I love the way their sweet voices juxtapose with The Lyrical’s gruffer masculine tone.
This EP has a whole lot of wisdom in its rapid-fire lyrics. “Teach Me” showcases The Lyrical’s commitment to making music that does much more than please the ears. As he says in that song, “I feel I’ve got a bigger purpose here than to entertain.” He does that too though, with music that sits comfortably alongside the offerings of John Butler and The Black Eyed Peas. Like these entertainers, he wants to tackle the big things, but he knows we’ll need it coated with amazing music to swallow it.
In just five tracks, The Lyrical shows he’s a really special performer, a gifted lyrical poet ready to engage hearts and minds. King of Me is released on June 16.
Image used with permission from Minor Major