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Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

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Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Simz hunches forward in her wooden chair and looks shyly over her glasses. Her hair is pulled up in a bun high above her head and she wears a brightly checkered suit.
Studio album by
Little Simz
Released3 September 2021
Recorded2019–2020
Genre
Length65:12
Label
Producer
Little Simz chronology
Drop 6
(2020) 		Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
(2021) 		No Thank You
(2022)
Singles from Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
  1. "Introvert"
    Released: 21 April 2021
  2. "Woman"
    Released: 6 May 2021
  3. "Rollin Stone"
    Released: 14 June 2021
  4. "I Love You, I Hate You"
    Released: 8 July 2021
  5. "Point and Kill"
    Released: 1 September 2021

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is the fourth studio album by English rapper Little Simz, released on 3 September 2021 by Age 101 Music and AWAL.[1] The album succeeds the Mercury Prize-nominated album Grey Area,[2] released in 2019, and the five-track EP, Drop 6 (2020).[3][4] It is supported by five singles: "Introvert", "Woman", "Rollin Stone", "I Love You, I Hate You" and "Point and Kill". The album is produced by frequent collaborator Inflo, and includes guest appearances from Cleo Sol and Obongjayar.

The album received widespread acclaim and was named the best album of 2021 by Exclaim! and BBC Radio 6 Music. It won the 2022 Mercury Prize on 18 October 2022.[5] It was also nominated for the Best Album Ivor Novello Award in May 2022. [6] It also won the Libera Award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record and was nominated for the Brit Award for British Album of the Year. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert has since been considered to be among the greatest hip-hop albums of the 21st century and was included in Rolling Stone's ranking of the 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time.[7]

Title and concept

[edit]

The album title is a backronym of Simbi, which is part of Simz's full first name, Simbiatu. Speaking on the album title to The Guardian, Little Simz commented: "I'm just very to myself and I didn't know how to really navigate that, especially coming in this industry where you're expected to have this extroverted persona all the time. I wanted to just let people know like, yo, I'm actually this way inclined […] When it comes to business and my work, I'm not shy at all, I don't hold back with that. I'm very serious and direct, but other stuff sometimes."[8] Thematically, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is about Simz "being this introverted person that has all these crazy thoughts and ideas and theories in my head and not always feeling like I’m able to express it if it’s not through my art."[8]

Release and promotion

[edit]

Little Simz announced the album's title, cover art, release date, and preorder on 21 April 2021.[9] The first single, "Introvert", was released alongside its music video on 21 April 2021. The second single, "Woman" featuring Cleo Sol, was released on 6 May 2021 with a music video directed by Little Simz.[10] The track "Rollin Stone" was released as the third single on 14 June 2021,[11] followed by "I Love You, I Hate You" as the fourth single on 8 July 2021.[12][13] A fifth single, "Point and Kill" featuring Obongjayar, was released on 1 September 2021, followed by a music video.[14]

An accompanying European tour was announced on 28 May 2021, scheduled for winter 2021 and early 2022.[15]

Chart performance

[edit]

The album debuted at number four on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her highest charting album and first top forty. The album was the biggest selling album in independent record shops the week of its release.[16]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.8/10[17]
Metacritic88/100[18]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[19]
Clash8/10[20]
Entertainment Weekly7.5/10[21]
The Guardian[22]
The Independent[23]
The Line of Best Fit10/10[24]
Pitchfork7.7/10[25]
The Skinny[26]
The Telegraph[27]
Uncut8/10[18]

The album received widespread acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 88, based on 24 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[18]

In the review for AllMusic Timothy Monger compared the album favourably to its predecessor; "As on Grey Area, there are no dry spells or dips in quality, just a master class in modern songwriting with heaps of poise and a beating, soulful heart."[19] Lee Wakefield for Clash wrote that Sometimes I Might Be Introvert makes for "addictive listening", adding that "the cinematic flourishes are cranked up and Simz is more confessional than ever, pondering what defines her as both Little Simz the artist and Simbi the person."[20] Uncut concluded it was "an even more ambitious conceptual album that finds her sharing her insecurities, praising her heroes and going on a fairytale voyage over 19 tracks."[18] Writing for The Independent, Helen Brown described it as "the most thrilling album of the year", praising the "Bond theme-level orchestration" in the production and Little Simz's lyricism. Rachel Aroesti, writing for The Guardian, concluded Sometimes I Might Be Introvert "may or may not provide a commercial boost for its maker, but this rich, fascinating album cements Little Simz’s significance regardless."[22]

Entertainment Weekly noted that Little Simz "once again showcases her vulnerability, opening up old wounds from relationships with her father, a past lover, and, ultimately, herself."[21] PJ Somerville from The Line of Best Fit commented that "Talking family, trauma, the industry and her peers, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is tactical, theatrical, and is the product of 100,000 hours spent honing her craft resulting in a body of work with heart, and its head firmly on its shoulders."[24] Granting the record Album of the Week, James Rettig for Stereogum declared Sometimes I Might Be Introvert as Simz's "most personal album yet but also her most removed, in the sense that it’s cinematic and surreal and overwhelming", praising the subject matter and "sweeping orchestral" production.[28] PopMatters' John Amen praised the album, writing that Simz "moves from stream-of-consciousness confessions to epigrammatic observations, volatile rants to equanimous self-examinations, and personal confessions to broad societal diagnoses."[29]

Accolades

[edit]
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert on year-end lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
BBC Radio 6 Music Albums of the Year 2021
1
[30]
Exclaim! The 50 Best Albums of 2021
1
[31]
The Guardian The 50 Best Albums of 2021
3
[32]
NPR Music The 50 Best Albums of 2021
2
[33]
Paste The 50 Best Albums of 2021
4
[34]
Pitchfork The 50 Best Albums of 2021
29
[35]
Rolling Stone The 50 Best Albums of 2021
36
[36]
The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time
180
[37]
Consequence of Sound Top 50 Albums of 2021
5
[38]
Variety Chris Willman's Top 10 Albums of 2021
6
[39]
Awards and nominations for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2022 Brit Award British Album of the Year Nominated [40]
NME Awards Best Album in the World Nominated [41]
Best Album by a UK Artist Nominated
Libera Awards Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record Won [42]
Mercury Prize Album of the Year Won [43]
MOBO Awards Album of the Year Won[a] [44][45]
  1. ^ Joint winner with Alpha Place by Knucks

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are produced by Inflo except for "I See You", co-produced with Miles James, and "Rollin Stone", co-produced with Jakwob.

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert track listing[9]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Introvert"
6:02
2."Woman" (featuring Cleo Sol)
4:29
3."Two Worlds Apart"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
2:58
4."I Love You, I Hate You"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
4:16
5."Little Q, Pt. 1" (interlude)
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
  • Kadeem Clarke
  • Miles James
1:08
6."Little Q, Pt. 2"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
  • Clarke
  • James
3:46
7."Gems" (interlude)
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
  • Clarke
2:57
8."Speed"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
2:41
9."Standing Ovation"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
4:08
10."I See You"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
  • James
  • Nathan Allen
3:58
11."The Rapper that Came to Tea" (interlude)
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
  • James
  • Clarke
2:45
12."Rollin Stone"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
  • James Jacob
3:39
13."Protect My Energy"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
3:09
14."Never Make Promises" (interlude)
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
1:02
15."Point and Kill" (featuring Obongjayar)
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
  • Steven Umoh
3:06
16."Fear No Man"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
4:04
17."The Garden" (interlude)
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
  • James
  • Clarke
2:39
18."How Did You Get Here"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
4:57
19."Miss Understood"
  • Ajikawo
  • Cover
3:28
Total length:65:12

Notes

  • "Introvert" and the five interludes feature additional vocals by Emma Corrin.[46]
  • "Introvert" and "I See You" feature additional vocals by Cleo Sol.

Sample credits

  • "Two Worlds Apart" contains samples of "The Agony and the Ecstasy", written and performed by Smokey Robinson.[47]

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

  • Little Simz – primary artist (all tracks)
  • Cleo Sol – featured artist (2)
  • Obongjayar – featured artist (15)
  • Inflo – production (all tracks)
  • Jakwob – production (12)
  • Miles James – production (10)
  • Emma Corrin – additional vocals
  • Rosie Danvers – orchestral arrangements
  • Graham Godfrey - percussion
  • Caroline Adeyemi – vocals
  • Paul Boldeau – vocals
  • Phebe Edwards – vocals
  • Patrick Linton – vocals
  • Desrinea Ramus – vocals
  • Olivia Williams – vocals
  • Qudus Adidas St. Patrick – vocals

Technical

  • Matt Colton – mastering
  • Ben Baptie – engineering, mixing
  • Richard Woodcraft – engineering, mixing
  • Jeremy Cole – creative direction, artwork

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[48] 40
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[49] 15
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[50] 19
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[51] 64
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[52] 27
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[53] 24
Irish Albums (OCC)[54] 30
Scottish Albums (OCC)[55] 3
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[56] 79
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[57] 19
UK Albums (OCC)[58] 4
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[59] 1
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[60] 1
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[61] 3
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[62] 45
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[63] 33

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] Silver 74,056[64]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Yoo, Noah (21 April 2021). "Little Simz Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  2. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (19 September 2019). "Mercury Prize 2019: Dave, The 1975 and Little Simz among artists competing for music prize". The Independent. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  3. ^ Richards, Will (29 April 2020). "Little Simz announces new quarantine EP 'Drop 6', out next week". NME. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  4. ^ Graves, Wren (7 May 2020). "Little Simz Releases New EP Drop 6". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Mercury Prize: Rapper Little Simz wins album of the year award". BBC News. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  6. ^ Flynn, Tilly (7 April 2022). "Nominations announced for The Ivors 2022". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  7. ^ "The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 7 June 2022.
  8. ^ a b Hans, Simran (18 April 2021). "Rapper Little Simz: 'I don't hold back – I feel super free'". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  9. ^ a b Renshaw, David (21 April 2021). "Little Simz announces Sometimes I Might Be Introvert album, shares new song". The Fader. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  10. ^ Shaffer, Claire (6 May 2021). "Little Simz Releases Lush Music Video for New Song 'Woman'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  11. ^ Gallagher, Alex (15 June 2021). "Little Simz shares hard-hitting new single 'Rollin Stone'". NME. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  12. ^ Richards, Will (9 July 2021). "Little Simz shares raw new single 'I Love You, I Hate You'". NME. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  13. ^ Smith, Niall (12 July 2021). "Little Simz Cuts Deep On New Song "I Love You, I Hate You"". Complex. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  14. ^ Powell, John (3 September 2021). "Little Simz and Obongjayar head to Nigeria for "Point And Kill" video". Revolt. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  15. ^ Reilly, Nick (28 May 2021). "Little Simz announces biggest tour to date for winter 2021". NME. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Drake clinches fourth Number 1 album with Certified Lover Boy". Official Charts.
  17. ^ "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  19. ^ a b Monger, Timothy (3 September 2021). "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert - Little Simz | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  20. ^ a b Wakefield, Lee (31 August 2021). "Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". Clash. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  21. ^ a b Caulwell, Brandon (3 September 2021). "Little Simz dares to question her logngevty on Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". Entertainment Weekley. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  22. ^ a b Aroesti, Rachel (2 September 2021). "Little Simz: Sometimes I Might Be Introvert review – rich, vital rap". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  23. ^ Brown, Helen (2 September 2021). "Little Simz review, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert: The most thrilling album of the year". The Independent. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  24. ^ a b Somervelle, PJ (30 August 2021). "Little Simz remains unstoppable with the cinematic storytelling of Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  25. ^ Pritchard, Will (3 September 2021). "Little Simz: Sometimes I Might Be Introvert Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  26. ^ Moore, Sam (30 August 2021). "Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". The Skinny. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  27. ^ McCormick, Neil (2 September 2021). "Little Simz, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, review: an album that deserves a standing ovation". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  28. ^ Rettig, James (31 August 2021). "Album of the Week: Little Simz Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". Stereogum. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  29. ^ Amen, John (2 September 2021). "Little Simz: Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (Album Review)". PopMatters. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  30. ^ "6 Music's Albums of the Year 2021". canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  31. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Exclaim!. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  32. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben; Snapes, Laura (17 December 2021). "The 50 best albums of 2021". theguardian.com. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  33. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". NPR.com.
  34. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Paste. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  35. ^ Kim, Michelle (7 December 2021). "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  36. ^ Dolan, Jon (3 December 2021). "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  37. ^ "The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  38. ^ Schliep, Regina (7 December 2021). "Top 50 Albums of 2021". Consequence. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  39. ^ "The Best Albums of 2021". Variety. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  40. ^ "BRIT Awards 2022 nominations in full: Adele, Dave, Ed Sheeran and Little Simz lead with four each". Official Charts. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  41. ^ Trendell, Andrew (27 January 2022). "BandLab NME Awards 2022: Full list of nominations revealed". NME. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  42. ^ Aswad, Jem (23 March 2022). "Japanese Breakfast, Jason Isbell, Arlo Parks Lead Indie-Music Collective A2IM's 2022 Libera Awards Nominees". Variety. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  43. ^ Singh, Surej (26 July 2022). "Mercury Prize 2022 shortlist revealed". NME.
  44. ^ Rackham, Annabel (11 November 2022). "MOBOs 2022: Rapper and producer Knucks leads nominations". BBC. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  45. ^ Waters, Lowenna (2 December 2022). "MOBO Awards 2022: Full winners list including Little Simz and Ezra Collective". Evening Standard. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  46. ^ Smyth, David (20 August 2021). "Little Simz interview: 'I want to be a legend but sometimes I don't know why'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  47. ^ "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  48. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  49. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  50. ^ "Ultratop.be – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  51. ^ "Ultratop.be – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  52. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  53. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  54. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  55. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  56. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  57. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  58. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  59. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  60. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  61. ^ "Little Simz Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  62. ^ "Little Simz Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  63. ^ "Little Simz Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  64. ^ Hanley, James (October 2024). "Label of love". Music Week. p. 55–59.
  65. ^ "British album certifications – Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
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