Made in the Manor
by Kano
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. The Guardian
    Mar 10, 2016
    60
    While the likes of Stormzy and Novelist have concentrated on harder, myopic tracks that reference their world and little else, here Kano offers more accessibility. Some of that jars, including a slow, trudging ode to his sibling (Little Sis), but others--such as standout A Roadman’s Hymn--show an MC who has become an artist.
  2. Q Magazine
    Mar 7, 2016
    60
    He's carved out his own island. [Apr 2016, p.104]
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  3. PopMatters
    Mar 28, 2016
    50
    While his veteran presence allows him to sufficiently navigate his way through introspective material, Kano’s simply more commanding when he’s at the helm of so-called bangers. Consequently, Made in the Manor is an exercise in dashed expectations.
  5. The Wire
    Mar 8, 2016
    50
    The momentum doesn't dip through the sunny but sinister celebration of "T-Shirt Weather In The Manor," Kano's rapid flow over electronic rowdiness on "new Banger" and the stunning dancefloor swagger of "3 Wheel Ups."... The album peters out after that. [Mar 2016, p.46]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Jammy
    May 7, 2017
    7
    Kano's Made In The Manor is an enjoyable blend of autobiographical hip hop and grimey hype tracks. These two styles blend togetherKano's Made In The Manor is an enjoyable blend of autobiographical hip hop and grimey hype tracks. These two styles blend together surprisingly well, considering their contrasting moods and tempos, thanks in part to Kano's versatility; he's as comfortable reminiscing nostalgically about his family as he is bragging at speed over a 140bpm banger like '3 Wheel-Ups'.
    He's easily one of the most charismatic figures in grime music, helped in part by not taking himself too seriously; you'll rarely find Kano spitting gun bars and pretending he's the hardest road man round his ends, and he has a wry, sometimes hilarious way with words, exemplified in this album by 'GarageSkankFREESTYLE' ("Your girl's poom-poom smells like the A13 Beckton Exit"; "I will come to your Bar Mitzvah and leng it down").
    That's not to say the veteran MC is always flippant. On 'Endz', a high point of Made In The Manor, Kano flows like liquid over a melancholic, minimal hip hop instrumental, showcasing his wordplay and emotive delivery. It's a gem of a track, switching between cynical observations of his old neighbourhood, and referencing his relative success within the scene.
    On 'Little Sis' Kano speaks directly to his longtime estranged sister, extending an olive branch over a borderline-twee instrumental. It risks becoming saccharine, but the sincerity and honesty of the lyrics save it and serve up the most poignant moment of Made In The Manor.
    There are some weaker moments in the album, where the autobiographical references feel a little too inward to be fully appreciated by an outsider, and where Kano retreads nostalgic ground until it loses some of its charm. But none of this prevents this album being a solid, uplifting and enjoyable collection of songs.
    Score: 7/10 [Good]
    Highlights: Endz; 3 Wheel-Ups; GarageSkank(FREESTYLE); Little Sis    … Full Review »
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