Top tracks — play these first
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Big City Life — This track serves as the album's standout single, encapsulating themes of urban struggle and aspiration through its infectious chorus and relatable lyrics. It perfectly illustrates Mattafix's ability to weave storytelling into their music.
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Gangster Blues — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with a mix of rhythmic beats and reflective verses that critique street life, highlighting Mattafix's lyrical prowess. It demonstrates their signature blend of genres right from the start.
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Clear and Present Danger — This song delves into pressing social issues, combining poignant observations with a smooth melody that exemplifies the group's distinctive sound. Its exploration of societal challenges resonates throughout the album.
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Everyone Around You — The introspective nature of this track allows listeners to connect deeply with personal narratives, showcasing Mattafix's emotional range and depth. Its melodic structure contrasts beautifully with its thoughtful lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends UK rap and reggae but lacks depth in some compositions.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that blend rap verses with reggae choruses, while the second half shifts to more introspective themes and slower tempos.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the communal feel typical of reggae music.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- urban life reflections and struggles
- vibrant melodies with rhythmic flow
- cathartic moments of introspection
- varied tempos for dynamic listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- want purely upbeat experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon the release of 'Signs of a Struggle,' Mattafix was experiencing their breakthrough phase, following their debut album 'Mattafix' in 2004. This sophomore effort solidified their unique sound, blending hip-hop with reggae influences, while also addressing social issues prevalent in urban life.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nneka· Roots Manuva· Akala
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Gangster Blues 4:19
- 2 Big City Life 4:00
- 3 Passer By 3:33
- 4 To & Fro 4:04
- 5 Everyone Around You 4:58
- 6 Clear and Present Danger 4:20
- 7 Older 2:50
- 8 I to You 4:21
- 9 Impartial 3:55
- 10 The Means 4:09
- 11 11.30 3:28
- 12 The Forgotten 3:52
- 13 555 6:33
- 14 Cool Down the Pace 7:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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