Released 10 years ago
Growing Over Life
Wretch 32 · 2016
52 min · 12 tracks · contemporary R&B
A reflective blend of grime and contemporary R&B, underscored by introspective lyrics and dynamic production.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pressure — This track encapsulates Wretch’s introspective style, addressing the weight of expectations while blending melodic hooks with sharp verses.
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Take Me as I Am — A standout for its vulnerability, this track highlights Wretch's plea for acceptance amidst struggles, combining emotional honesty with a catchy chorus.
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All a Dream — Exploring themes of aspiration versus reality, this track showcases Wretch's lyrical prowess and ability to weave storytelling into his music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends grime and R&B, showcasing personal growth through varied lyrical themes and dynamic production.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that blend introspective lyrics with upbeat production, while the second half shifts to a more subdued and reflective tone.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, creating a conversational feel that enhances the personal themes explored in the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective moments of personal growth
- introspective lyrics that provoke thought
- steady pacing with varied emotions
- short tracks for quick reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat party anthems
- want instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2016, Growing Over Life is Wretch 32's third studio album, following his previous work Black and White in 2011. At this point in his career, he was transitioning deeper into personal themes, showcasing both growth as an artist and a response to changing musical landscapes in the UK.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Open Conversation & Mark Duggan
The song shifts from personal reflections to broader societal commentary, directly addressing systemic issues and injustices faced by marginalized communities.
This transition not only broadens the thematic scope of the album but also demonstrates Wretch’s commitment to using his platform for social awareness.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Antwi 3:51
- 2 Pressure 4:22
- 3 Take Me as I Am 5:38
- 4 All a Dream 4:29
- 5 Dreams 4:40
- 6 6 Words 3:36
- 7 Open Conversation & Mark Duggan 6:08
- 8 Liberation 3:23
- 9 Cooked Food 3:08
- 10 I.O.U. 3:58
- 11 Something 3:59
- 12 Church 4:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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