Music critic Noah Metcalfe reviews Dave’s latest album ‘The Boy Who Played The Harp’, and praises his vulnerability, sensitivity, and self-awareness
Dave’s first solo record in four years gives us a retrospective, thought-provoking and bleak outlook on his life over his hiatus – his political stances, mental health, and most of all his powerful messages to younger generations are the puzzle pieces that meld into a 48 minute record that speaks directly from the heart. Introspective storytelling has always been a key aspect of Dave and his brand, but The Boy Who Played the Harp feels like his reminder to the world that he has yet to have someone take his throne.
The UK rap scene is at a crossroads, and a new wave of forward-thinking artists are being thrust into the spotlight. Artists like fakemink, EsDeeKid, and others are pushing a unique, modern sound to the genre. In a year of such dramatic progression for the genre, it’s interesting to see how Dave, one of the most prolific voices in the genre, is going to respond. We’ve seen many mainstream, established artists bend their sound to cater to a new generation of fans, but Dave doesn’t need to redefine himself. Instead, TBWPTH feels like his songwriting maturity at its peak, and it’s the most vulnerable work of his career so far.
Instead, TBWPTH feels like his songwriting maturity at its peak, and it’s the most vulnerable work of his career so far
In the opening chord alone, Dave is clearly devoting this record to his faith, with a powerful organ chord ringing out over his reflective delivery. It’s not shocking to hear him turn to faith in times of such political restlessness; when you’ve lived your entire adult life as a celebrity, it’s difficult to uphold your morals when talking about major political issues. This inner conflict is reflected in the second track ‘175 Months’, where he exclaims, ‘How can I pray for Congo / With these diamonds on my neck’. As a consumer, morality is easily skewed; it feels like every major brand of clothing, every piece of jewellery, and even our tech products have a hand in some of the most exploitative practices in the industry. This line is not only reflective of his inner moral conflict, but reflective of millions of people worldwide who want peace. How do we as consumers stop passively funding atrocities around the world?
This is a common motif within the record, ‘How can we encourage peace?’, something that is directly mentioned within the TBWPTH’s title and concept. TBWPTH is a direct reference to the biblical figure David, who played the harp to help King Saul when he was haunted by an evil spirit; a tale that resonates deeply within Dave’s writing on this record.
It’s rare to see popular music tackle such dark, uncomfortable topics like these. On track nine ‘Fairchild’, Dave begs the question ‘Why do men feel entitled to women’s bodies? / Why is rape culture still so prominent?’ whilst also acknowledging his failures to prevent such rhetoric being spread amongst men. Nicole Blakk’s verse retelling the moments before and during a sexual assault are incredibly harrowing, but is sadly a common experience amongst women. Her raw emotions shine through this verse as she questions the system and culture that has harmed women for centuries, and how it continues to fail women daily. The back and forth dynamic on this track creates a harmony that teaches the listener how men can be complicit in these issues, and how men can tackle this by calling out misogynistic rhetoric in their social circles; something that I admire so much about this record.
It’s rare to see popular music tackle such dark, uncomfortable topics like these
Having such a cohesive record is an incredible feat, but the only area the TBWPTH falters in is within track eight ‘Marvellous’, which continues his streak of immersive storytelling, but sonically leaves little to entertain. The acoustic guitar paired with trap drums feels uninspired, especially when Dave sings the chorus. It feels like an attempt at a laidback trap hit, but when it’s paired with such a dark story of an innocent young man falling into a life of crime it feels like such an unusual pairing.
TBWPTH is an almost perfect triumph, and a masterclass in introspective storytelling. Dave rejects the modern music industry and culture, and tackles dark topics with the precision of a master MC. He stays consistent, engaging and poetic despite his four-year long hiatus.
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