Kieren Gallear has a lot on his mind. The man known as DELS returns with a second album full of thoughtful observations, wry humour, chilli soup and bourbon with ginger chasers. These are just some of the brilliant lyrical couplets Gallear uses, but that’s only half the story, as his music is sublime at times. When ‘House of Commons’ pulls back for reflection the warmth of the bass takes the listener by surprise, while the sparse beats he uses on ‘You Live In My Head’ pull the listener in closer. Elsewhere it’s good to hear some humour Roots Manuva would be proud of, especially when “I’m in a food coma, dreaming I’m sailing to Barcelona on a ring doughnut”, or on ‘Limbo’ where Gallear raps, “I should have been a blizzard cos I’m that cold”. One of his best observations, though, is that “Life’s too short to eat tasteless soup”. So don’t – go and get this flavoursome offering instead. It’s the best hip hop album I’ve heard in ages.
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
{http://soundcloud.com/ninja-tune/sets/dels-petals-have-fallen-1}
