Little Simz
(Picture: Nwaka Okparaeke)When an artist wins an award, it’s standard practice to thank management, record label people and so on. This year, Simbiatu ‘Little Simz’ Ajikawo added a Brit Award for Best New Act, an Ivor Novello for Best Contemporary Song and the Mercury Prize to her bulging trophy cabinet. The title – No Thank You – and content of her surprise fifth album, however, suggest she has pointedly withdrawn her gratitude to someone from future acceptance speeches.
Just two months ago Simz received the Mercury for Album of the Year for her extraordinary collection, Sometimes I Might be Introvert. These 10 new songs, whose existence was only revealed a week ago, feel less like a fully formed new work to stand beside their mighty predecessor, or a Christmas gift to fans, than an urgent unburdening.
