Mura Masa’s second album presents two prevailing approaches to making sense of the world. The first arrives on the album’s lead single ‘I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again’, a team-up with DIY hero Clairo. Before the big Basement Jaxx-sized breakdown in the song’s chorus, and after the US singer remembers the grass on the other side being “so much softer, longer, sweeter, cleaner than this”, she sighs through robotic vocals: “I don’t think I can do this again”. It’s about a relationship going down the pan, but also summarises our general apathy and appetite for nihilism in response to the world’s sorry state.
The second, as found on the enormous ‘Deal Wiv It’, suggests grabbing life by the scruff of the neck and giving it a boot up the arse. On the bouncing, hilarious, Stranglers-inspired anthem, Northampton rapper Slowthai lets you know how he really feels about modern Britain. He moans that his mates on the estate are telling him he’s changed, and that you can’t get a pint for £3 anymore because of gentrification. His answer? Deal wiv it, mate.
Mura Masa – real name Alex Crossan – doesn’t settle on a single approach across ‘R.Y.C.’ (short for Raw Youth Collage) – and therein lies the album’s strength. The British producer’s second album is a scrapbook of confusion, anxiety and nostalgia that provides no clear answers – apathy or humour, pick your poison – but remains an authentic and relatable listen through to its honesty.
It’s authenticity to himself – and to listeners – that has led one of Britain’s most promising dance producers to release a punk album. “If you’re smart right now, you’re making guitar music,” Crossan told NME in a recent chat. “I feel like people are now praying for some authenticity and some human touch to music. There’s no simpler outlet to that than guitar and piano.”
| 1 | Raw Youth Collage | 3:38 |
| 2 | No Hope Generation | 3:54 |
| 3 | I Don't Think I Can Do This Again | 3:42 |
| 4 | A Meeting At An Oak Tree | 1:29 |
| 5 | Deal Wiv It | 2:57 |
| 6 | Vicarious Living Anthem | 2:05 |
| 7 | In My Mind | 5:31 |
| 8 | Today | 3:20 |
| 9 | Live Like We're Dancing | 4:09 |
| 10 | Teenage Headache Dreams | 4:43 |
| 11 | (Nocturne For Strings And A Conversation) | 2:19 |
