Following the huge success of his recent pre-EP, single release ‘Taste (Make It Shake)’ which reached Number 3 in the U.K. Official Charts, Aitch is back with his second EP and it’s his best work to date. The rising star has had quite the come up in the past year, but even since we touched base on his Across The Pond, the 19 year old has already been a part of his first Number 1 by having the privilege to hop on the official remix of Stormzy and Ed Sheeran’s chart topping hit ‘Take Me Back To London’. The momentum the young rapper has gained makes this a perfect time to put out a body of work and having teamed up with Cypress Break to throw the ‘AitcH20’ Pool Party to launch it, he really must be having the time of his life.
From the get go this EP captures everything we love about the Aitch sound. In the opening verse of the ‘Intro’ he says, “She’s looking at me pissed and I’m a funny little shit, and if she’s got a sweet tooth I’m pouring honey on my…” the exact sort of comical wordplay that can be expected from the Manchester rapper. Throughout the track, the rhyming structure dips and dives all over the place in classic Aitch style, opening the EP with a smile on your face.
The next track ‘What’s Next’ is a completely new feel, that essences vibes of ‘Bet’ by Octavian and Skepta. Aitch himself said “this one is definitely for the shows, 100%” and, even at a first listen, you can picture the crowd goind wild straight away. This track really stands out on a first run through with a catchy chorus and upbeat rhythm that was not necessarily expected to be heard here.
Another track that will catch your attention on a first listen is ‘2 G’s’. Never before could one picture Aitch on a track with Tyga or YG but now it seems more appropriate than ever. Of all the beats on the album this one feels the most American, but Aitch is able to glide across it in his usual laid back tone too easily. This style really suits him and the track is about an interesting topic too. Aitch says “it’s always seemed like bare people around me knew what they wanted me to do already, I was spitting bars and I already knew I was going to blow up but I didn’t know it was going to happen this fast,” but it did and this track is an example of why.
When first seeing the tracklist for AitcH20 the standout feature track is titled ‘Weekday’ which features the iconic MoStack and Steel Banglez Sound. Banglez is a one stop shop if you want a summer feeling, afrobeat-infused hit, which is exactly what this is. Hearing both Aitch and Mostack sing the chorus together was really interesting because of their totally different tones, but it works so well. Make sure it’s warm out when you listen to this one.
All in all, this is a really solid piece of work by Aitch and he deserves every success from it. Ever since his ‘Straight Rhymez 1’ a year ago, he has demonstrated the charisma and talent of a born icon and it’s fantastic to see it all coming together for him. Really do give this EP a listen before you can’t get away from the name, because Aitch is here to stay.
