Album Review

Theophilus London – Flying Overseas

• 29th Jun 2011

Built on a synth-drenched beat that’s resolutely 80s, the new single from Brooklyn rapper Theophilus London sets itself apart musically from contemporary hip-hop, aligning itself instead with the current indie trend of raiding that decade’s music for inspiration.

Whether this approach will give London buy-in with indie fans this side of the pond – his ringing endorsement from kingmakers NME might help – remains to be seen. Either way, London’s refreshing approach to his genre has sired at least one lovely track.

Like the production, London’s lyrics sharply turn away from hip-hop cliches – pining for a lost girlfriend, drinking tea and longing to fly away, London isn’t afraid to let his guard down, with this track he places himself thematically closer to, say, The Cure, than your average east coast rapper. One criticism of “Flying Overseas” is the relatively small amount of time London is featured on it – another verse wouldn’t be amiss and would give us a better idea of what the rapper is about. I’m sure we’ll hear enough of London in the future to remedy this, though, and Solange Knowles’ gorgeous hook, which burrows deep into your consciousness from listen 1, seals the deal; promising stuff.