Ed Scissor is an acclaimed wordsmith and leading voice in the alt-rap scene. His new album, Tell Them It’s Winter, sees him progressing further into a more left-field hip-hop sound that - combined with the stark, Burial-esque sounds of producer Lamplighter - makes friends of techno, modern classical composition and synth-led film scores. He then reduces them down to a moody and solitary viewpoint, draped in a customary shroud of Scissor darkness...

Tell Them It's Winter is the new album from Ed Scissor and Lamplighter. It's an impressive, and interesting release which covers a lot of bases.

The LP contains 10 songs (1 hr, 10 sec) and opens with a piece that will really suck you in. 'Grandzeen Featuring Noma' is almost classical in its delivery, but with a more modern edge. In fact, this perfectly sets the scene for what is to come.

'Ttiw' is easily the most memorable track, which has an interesting tune, which Scissor raps effortlessly over. And that's part of the beauty of this album - Scissor's ability to think first and foremost about the music, with the lyrics adding another layer to the overall sound.

Even if you're not normally a fan of rap, there's enough variety here to at least make it worth your while checking out. Scissor could make a rap fan out of you yet.

8

Nick Smithson