Little Simz is developing an intriguing habit of following up acclaimed albums with experimental EPs. Her usual vibe is jazzy, eclectic and broadly golden age-inspired. Think live drums and string samples. However, on 2024’s ‘Drop 7’ and now ‘Sugar Girl’, Simz reveals a more innovative side to her musical vision.
This isn’t to say that her soulful, energetic full-lengths are anything to sniff at. It’s just that (and this is the key to her enormous success) they’re palatable to the tastes of a wide range of listeners, namely indie kids and 6 Music dads, in a way these short-form releases are not.
‘Sugar Girl’ offers no such familiar comforts — its four tracks are only interested in dancing along the cutting edge of rap music.
Open Arms is pure afrobeats, Game On is hard, heavy trap, while Telephone recalls Travis Scott at his most washed-out and melancholic.
It’s a thrilling excursion, sending Simz into fascinating, sometimes unrecognisable territories. Telephone (featuring mercurial art-rapper 070 Shake) is a notable highlight where Simz’s voice is filtered beyond recognition in service of a fabulously moody emo-rap banger.
There’s a harsh, but probably fair, argument that these four tracks don’t prioritise that voice enough. For example, the opener That’s A No No feels like another act’s track that Simz is providing a guest verse on.
More broadly, though, this is a fascinating and thrilling experiment, one that continues to expand Simz’ already loose boundaries. The idea of her incorporating more contemporary rap sounds into her already commanding, ambitious “usual sound” is a tantalising prospect.
Little Simz Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sun May 24 2026 - LONDON Brockwell Park
Sun August 30 2026 - BRISTOL Downs
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