It was over a decade ago that Kano released his debut album, Home Sweet Home, but he’s not lost his connection to his birthplace. Made in the Manor, the grime icon’s fifth album and his first since 2010’s Method to the Madness, is billed not just as a comeback album but a “forensic portrayal of inner-city England”.
References to the rapper’s formative years are scattered throughout – from growing up in east London (T-Shirt Weather in the Manor) to family tensions (Little Sis). But it’s not a one-man project, and Made in the Manor features production sheen from the likes of Rustie, Melé and the Grammy-winning Adele producer Fraser T Smith. There are also some thrilling guest spots, such as the sound of Kano, Wiley and Giggs colliding on 3 Wheel-Ups, and the collaboration with Damon Albarn that is Deep Blues.
A perfect soundtrack to austerity Britain? Have a listen using the player below and let us know your thoughts.
You can pre-order the album here.
