Top tracks — play these first
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Living Darfur — This track stands out for its poignant commentary on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, blending powerful lyrics with an infectious beat that calls for awareness.
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Angel — Featuring a smooth melody and emotive delivery, this song effectively encapsulates the album's blend of introspection and social reflection.
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Shake Your Limbs — An upbeat opener that sets the tone for the album, it combines danceable rhythms with an invitation to celebrate life amidst challenges.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends UK rap with soulful melodies and socially conscious themes, creating a solid but not work.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that blend rap verses with soulful choruses, while the second half shifts to more introspective themes and slower tempos.
- Several tracks incorporate live instrumentation, particularly in the rhythm section, which enhances the organic feel of the music.
- The lyrics often address social issues, with 'Living Darfur' serving as a prominent example that highlights humanitarian concerns.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- upbeat tracks for lively gatherings
- thoughtful reflections during commutes
- catchy rhythms that invite movement
- socially conscious themes in lyrics
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- want heavy, introspective sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Rhythm & Hymns' was released in January 2007, Mattafix had already gained recognition with their debut album 'Signs of a Struggle' in 2005. This sophomore effort followed their breakthrough, showcasing their evolving sound while addressing pressing global issues through music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nneka· Roots Manuva· Akala
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Shake Your Limbs 3:40
- 2 Living Darfur 4:12
- 3 Angel 4:10
- 4 In the Background 3:45
- 5 Things Have Changed 3:46
- 6 Stranger Forever 4:02
- 7 Freeman 4:31
- 8 Got to Lose 3:34
- 9 In My Life 4:30
- 10 Memories of Soweto 3:38
- 11 Far From Over 3:54
- 12 Separate Ways 2:21
- 13 Angel (Prince Fatty V Mattafix remix) 3:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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