Grey Area
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Grey Area Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 198 Ratings

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  • Summary: The third full-length release for the British rapper Simbi Ajikawo features a guest appearances from Cleo Sol.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. AllMusic
    May 17, 2019
    100
    On Grey Area, it feels as if everything has come together in perfect unison, resulting in one of the strongest rap albums of 2019.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 26, 2019
    100
    Having stripped away the narrative cloak that shrouded the highlights of ‘Stillness In Wonderland’, she’s crafted a knockout record--and finally come true on her early promise. This is the best rap record of the year so far.
  3. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 28, 2019
    100
    What Simz does here is phenomenal. This is an album--and artist--to cherish.
  4. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 26, 2019
    80
    It swings. It grooves. It’s not bogged down by a self-consciously poetic concept. And it feels like a record rather than a showcase, anchored by the production work of Simz’s childhood friend Inflo.
  5. Exclaim
    Mar 21, 2019
    80
    From start to finish, GREY Area reveals a young rapper who has seen success in her career, but is still sorting herself out in her real life.
  6. No Ripcord
    May 10, 2019
    80
    On the whole, it's a smart and satisfying record. If she can achieve such mass appeal on an independent release, it will be fascinating to see where she goes if she agrees to sign with a label. Hopefully it won't trip up her laser focus on what matters: herself.
  7. The Wire
    Apr 3, 2019
    80
    Little Simz’s latest--and greatest--album is divided between three emotional states: bravado, doubt and love. [Apr 2019, p.58]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. sammyanthony
    Mar 2, 2019
    10
    Little Simz conspicuously got her stance laying bare; questioning life, self-worth, and death feels like staples. They all have a place in GREY Area.
  2. Mook19
    Nov 30, 2019
    10
    Good grief! Punchy honest lyrics peppered with fabulous tunes. (I'm not a massive hip hop/rap fan either) but this has grabbed me in many waysGood grief! Punchy honest lyrics peppered with fabulous tunes. (I'm not a massive hip hop/rap fan either) but this has grabbed me in many ways and I love it. Album of the year for me. The vinyl offering is sublime!… Expand
  4. sennikotka
    Feb 1, 2023
    10
    Fantastic, fantastic album, one of the best albums of the last twenty years. Phenomenal flows and production, great change-up from the rest ofFantastic, fantastic album, one of the best albums of the last twenty years. Phenomenal flows and production, great change-up from the rest of Simz' discography. Probably the best record from the best artist in the game right now.… Expand
  5. Drr23788
    Aug 27, 2019
    9
    Awesome album! My only complaints on this album is some guest features vocals did not work for me on a couple of tracks.
  6. FromKanga
    Apr 2, 2019
    9
    Absolutely fantastic, my only problem with this album is just how short it is
  7. Spoonyon
    Feb 9, 2020
    9
    The objectively best Little Simz project yet. Impeccable lyricism and straightforward hard hitting production to boot. Not really anyThe objectively best Little Simz project yet. Impeccable lyricism and straightforward hard hitting production to boot. Not really any complaints on any of the songs. A concisely superb listen from front to back. Very excited to see what she has in store for the new decade.… Expand
  8. farfetchedfan
    Feb 3, 2020
    7
    Very solid and consistently smooth album. Impressive lyricism, good beats, a poppy single surrounded by more traditional hip hop tracks, allVery solid and consistently smooth album. Impressive lyricism, good beats, a poppy single surrounded by more traditional hip hop tracks, all with her own unique touch. A decent amount of variety, but not quite enough to hold attention for the whole album. Nothing really blew me away but I've got to give points for consistent high quality.… Expand

See all 26 User Reviews

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