160 extraordinaire L U C Y has arguably become one of the most influential figures in England’s bass scene. Hailing from Bristol, the DJ/producer has a knack for picking out the finest of dub, footwork and jungle for her Boileroom certified sets from across the country.
The 6 Figure Gang member may be a prolific selecta, but she also chiefs SZNS7N (Season Seven) - her self-run record label promoting British underground music’s most innovative. Lijah appeared on the platform's first compilation ’SZN001’, with the colossal single ‘Alhassan’. If you are a follower of L U C Y, and tune into her frequent shows on Rinse and NTS, then you will have heard this track dropped a few times; Lijah was making music well before this single, but the frantic production it possesses instigates an energy on the dance floor that most producers would find hard to replicate.
Not only is Chapter 2 packed with bangers, the project has an inherent coherence that makes it listenable outside the turmoil of raves and clubs. 'No Trigger to Pull' dawns a sinister tone to the EP; AMELIA equips the mechanical beat with her elegant, raspy vocals, which lure you in despite the mysterious vibe. Proceeding the opener, 'Soundbwoy Ting' looks to U.K. dub as it's main core of influence; the genre's origins are firmly in Croydon, but Bristol has since become the sonic's home. Lijah doesn't completely confine himself to one genre though; this track could be the birth child of Sir Hiss and JD. Reid, with the beats influence going beyond classic 140 and into the realms of left-field u.k rap and electronica.
Featuring the dextrous lyricism of Emz, 'Malcom X' is definitely one of our pics from the whole tape. The industrial bass and contrastingly smooth melody works with the rapper's versatile flow, and the powerful sample that can be heard throughout. 'Politics' sounds straight off Skream's legendary self-titled album: the space telephone fx and piercing string score construct a classic 140 beat, but still effortlessly champions the malefic tone of Chapter 2. Being based in the West Country, this sound is pretty unavoidable, but (real name) Jack Alhassan was making music in the sleepy city of Cambridge before moving to Bristol.
Cambridge prides itself in academia. Growing up in the city, we found it frustrating that the arts were so overlooked by the intellectual prowess that has defined the place for centuries. You are frequently reminded that Pink Floyd formed in one of the sixth forms, but really the city has never had a lively music scene. With the help of Lijah, and other local DJs, there is a slow growing underground agenda; few clubs could home Britain's best selectas, but Sherelle, My Nu Leng and Andy C have all played here recently.
'Simple Request' accentuates Lijah's transition from the bassline tendencies of Cambridge, to the more unique tempos coming out of Bristol. The track's punchy rhythm will have you instantly bopping, before the fiery footwork rework of 'Alhassan' plays out the EP's end. With England's bass scene becoming more saturated by the day, it is clear Lijah is here to stay. 'Chapter 2' is as much a journey through the finest of underground sounds, as it is an EP of rave ready shellas. Give the project a listen below.
RATING: 8.5/10