In 2016, Little Simz released Stillness in Wonderland. Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting another drop, anticipating the artistic evolution Simz was sure to provide.

Deviating from the eccentric, dreamy, synth sounds that characterized her last album, on GREY Area Simz opted for a blend of aggression, vulnerability, and genre-splicing to convey her experiences growing up and developing as an artist in a male-dominated industry. While following a theme of self-discovery and personal development, Simz displays true artistry through the presence of influences from a variety of musical genres that elevate her voice and message.

The album opens with “Offence”, a lyrical assault where she challenges anyone who questions her artistic abilities and calls to question the fate many have laid out for her as a woman in the hip-hop industry. Starting with a drum beat, Simz blends a variety of sounds by dipping into electronic vibrations and live instrumentation breakbeats. The verses ooze confidence, through allusions to artists such as Jay-Z and a certainty that she is making a name for herself no matter the obstacle; “I said it with my chest and I don’t care who I offend, uh-huh.”

Simz shows great musicality and depth on many tracks across the album. “Boss” showcases multifaceted electronic sounds, bass-guitar lines, and vocal distortions reminiscent of ‘90s all blended together by Simz’s fresh flow and unique voice. On “Wounds”, Simz incorporates string samples and reggae influence by hitting us with another track featuring Chronixx, who she collaborated with on “LMPD” in 2016. “Selfish” featuring Cleo Sol is a smooth and vibey track with soft vocals behind flawless rap delivery highlighting the depth of her emotional variation and is sure to capture listeners.

Many critics of the current hip-hop landscape point out that the focus in many recently released tracks has shifted from clever wordplay and mastered lyricism to a focus on vocals and catchy-yet-lackluster verses following the same formula that details successes surrounding sex, money, and cars. Simz challenges these critiques by producing a unique sound while spitting lyrics that stimulate thought and dive into a conversation on important topics such as mental health, women in the music industry, and the anxieties surrounding growing up.

Amid the strength displayed by bristling verses in “Offense” and “Boss”, Simz opens the door into her headspace on tracks like “Venom”—casting her in a vulnerable light in contrast to other tracks on the album. Not shying away from difficult topics, Simz tackles the struggles she and many of the people in her life have faced.

“Venom” starts unexpectedly with orchestral strings, over which she lays out the same dark energy that captured listeners in her 2015 breakout song “Dead Body” paired with strong lyrics and deep voice distortion. Through fast and heavy delivery laid over a strong composition, Simz creates a space appropriate to discuss mental-health and suicide. “Life sucks and I never tried suicide / Mind’s fucked even more than I realize.” Shifting gears, Simz deadpans phrases sure to draw attention such as ‘ovaries’ and ‘pussy’ to attack the misogyny that she faces in the industry. “They would never wanna admit I’m the best here / From the mere fact that I’ve got ovaries / It’s a woman’s world, so to speak / Pussy, you sour / Never givin’ credit where it’s due cause you don’t like pussy in power / Venom.” As soon as she lays down her last word in the verse, the strings cut out into a grimy drop that’ll have you playing the track over and over.

Simz manages to master composition, lyrics, and delivery with this new drop which is no small feat. She’s direct, strong, and wants people to listen. Simz’s artistic evolution over the last couple of years has been paralleled by few, and it should be interesting to see how her sound is further developed and refined as she releases more music.