NO THANK YOU
A stripped-back, soul-drenched masterclass in independent defiance. Warm gospel choirs and cinematic strings meet razor-sharp, intimate reflections on the industry.
A stripped-back, soul-drenched masterclass in independent defiance. Warm gospel choirs and cinematic strings meet razor-sharp, intimate reflections on the industry.
Quiet reclamation
Heavy brass and warm, unhurried gospel choirs cushion these quiet, sharp-edged confessions. Recorded in the shadow of industry exhaustion, the music feels like a door closing on a crowded room to let the cold air in. You can hear the wooden creak of the studio floor under the orchestral strings and the steady, dry snap of the snare. It is a patient, defiant retreat into private spaces, where spiritual exhaustion slowly turns back into strength.
By leaning heavily into majestic orchestral arrangement, the production frames her quietest, most vulnerable vocal performances against a backdrop of cathedral-sized grandeur.
The album was widely admired for its warm, organic production and emotionally candid songwriting, which critics felt offered a looser, more intimate sound. Reviewers particularly appreciated how thoughtfully the tracks navigate personal well-being and frustrations with the music industry.
“This surprise 10-track collection is a clear-headed riposte to the fame game and the industry hangers-on trying to take a slice”Read review
“Simz gives us 10 choice cuts (showcasing her brilliance and breadth) that convey the whole emoji board of riveting emotions”Read review
“Accolades be damned, the UK star blasts a music industry that has left her feeling drained, adding her voice to a chorus of Black British artists pushing back against the status quo”Read review
“A worthy follow-up to Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, trading that album’s shimmering polish and clear curation for a looser, more raw aesthetic”Read review
“The Mercury winner’s surprise-release album finds her going in on mental health and the music industry, in a deep collaboration with Sault’s Inflo”Read review
“Just months after her Mercury Prize win for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, Simbiatu Ajikawo goes from strength to strength as one of rap’s essential voices”Read review
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