For the duration of the album's recording, Doom's been back in London, the city where he was born and influences of his birthplace/second home certainly don't try to hide on 'Key To The Kuffs'. The album is full of colloquial allusions to the East End in tracks like 'Rhymin' Slang' and 'Guv'nor'. Even the odd reference to the likes of 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' makes an appearance, alongside songs about everything from selling out ('Bite the Thong') to seasonal affective disorder ('Winter Blues'). The feelings of longing expressed here by Doom, provide a rare, but brief instance of clarity. Though this kind of emotional honesty certainly isn't a million miles away from the Doom we know and love. His music is a deep and murky as ever. His samples remain dusty and lo-fi, his voice gruff as 20-a-day whiskey lover and perhaps most importantly, his elliptical wordplay...as dense and jerky as we remember, delivered from all angles to barrage his listener. It's classic Doom alright, but it's by no means same-old-same-old. Aside from the unique composition of Jneiro Jarel, that linger behind Doom's verbiage...there's a new side to Doom here, an touch of humanity behind 'The Mask of Sorrow'. It's only a glimpse mind, but it's there and it's all we can ask of an artist so ahead of his own game.
'Key To The Kuffs' drops on Lex Records this Monday 20th August. Check out the preview below and pre-order via iTunes or the Lex Online Store for exclusive freebies.
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