It's been a long road for Dizzee Rascal since the release of the Mercury winning debut album Boy In The Corner, a journey that's taken in collaborations with all and sundry, life-threatening stabbings in Ayia Napa and that ill-advised rap contribution to the remake of Do They Know It's Christmas.
A break of three years since his last album Showtime has obviously done Dizzee a world of good, as Sirens sounds absolutely immense. A world away from his grime origins, this throws in everything but the kitchen sink - including metal guitar riffs, the customary Dizzee rapid-fire delivery and the sirens of the title.
It all sounds almost apocalyptic, which is fitting as the lyrics deal with the topical issue of lawlessness on the streets of inner-city London. The most exciting rap record of the year - the Rascal has come of age.
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