Stormzy Shares New Album 'This Is What I Mean', His Most Vulnerable Work To Date

Stormzy Shares New Album 'This Is What I Mean', His Most Vulnerable Work To Date


November 25, 2022

Three years on from 2019's Heavy Is The Head, Stormzy treads an exciting new path on his third album This Is What I Mean.

Against the backdrop of emotionally wrought melodies and vocal arrangements, Stormzy delivers a slew of raw reflections across twelve tracks. It's a stunning effort to express his artistic evolution as we venture through a collection of gospel-R&B offerings that include "Firebabe", "Please", "I've Got My Smile Back" and the eight-minute opener "Fire + Water".

Over a duration of 52 minutes he connects with a number of outstanding musicians like Black Sherif, Ms Banks, India.Arie, Amaarae, Sampha, Ayra Starr, Nao, Jacob Collier, and fellow Def Jam signees Debbie and tendai.

Meanwhile, on production, we have PRGRSHN as executive producer along with Dion Wardle, Juls, Scribz Riley, P2J, Owen Cutts, KZ, Joel Peters, tendai., Tempoe, Grades, Knox Brown, Jojo Mukeza, and Miles.

This Is What I Mean is more than just another album set to climb the charts but an intimate outpour of his challenges with loneliness, self-doubt and regrets that have eventually led him to find healing and joy.

Just as Stormzy released this gift to the atmosphere, he delivered a handwritten note on instagram stating his intentions for the album, wishing for listeners to enter his world with nothing but an open mind. You can read his message here, followed by the clean, artful visuals for "Firebabe" below, before hitting play on track one of the album at the bottom.



Words: Blessing Borode
Photography: Ollie Adegboye


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