ALBUM: Rizzle Kicks – Stereo Typical

Rizzle Kicks present ‘Stereo Typical’, the most chart-friendly example of hip hop the most hyper-sensitive of mums and dads have been hoping for. The upbeat duo from Brighton come bounding into view with a cheerful temperament and more positive vibe- it’s less bitches, violence and ‘parental advisory’ stickers; more sun-filled brass and letting the good times roll. What else would you expect from a band that featured on an Olly ‘Nice Guy’ Murs number one?

Everything about Rizzle Kicks suggest that they are tailored to appeal commercially to the younger generations. Their BRIT School background echoes that of many serial chart toppers from Adele to the late Amy Winehouse, they’ve commanded the full attention of far-reaching platforms like Radio 1 and you can imagine them playing out to a sea of young faces at a ‘T4 On The Beach’ type event. ‘Down With The Trumpets’, a cracking pop track with (unsurprisingly) an infectious little horn section has already proven Rizzle Kicks’ capability for cracking the UK Top Ten. It does set the tone for the rest of this record as the broad appeal can be heard throughout; from the cheeky piano samples of ‘Trouble’ to the fun funk-laden beats of ‘Mama Do The Hump’- the latter oozing the characteristics of it’s producer, Fatboy Slim.

However, the fact that Rizzle Kicks are so poised for mainstream success doesn’t make them entirely unreachable for those of you who asked who Olly Murs was at the start of this review. Like a good Disney film, there’s plenty here ‘for the adults’ too. Lyrically and vocally, there’s a real likeability in the reflexive poetry spoken with a thoroughly British twang. It’s almost impossible to not have just a little soft spot for the ska-driven memoirs of ‘When I Was Youngster’. Leave your preconceptions at the door and give this a spin because the steady pulse of positivity might just brighten your day a little.