The 21-year-old Swedish innovator is back with an album of hypnotic soundscapes that thankfully feels more comfortable in itself than 2016’s ropy Warlord. Indeed, in the year that saw the emo cloud rap of Lil Uzi Vert’s XO Tour Llif3 become song of the summer, Yung Lean’s sadboy aesthetic feels more fitting than ever. Channelling his uniquely hazy take on melodic southern hip-hop, Lean’s lyrics pour forth Bart Simpson-bravado (on Skimask) as much as harrowing insights into the paranoia that engulfs his mental health and romantic life (Red Bottom Sky). Stranger is especially striking for its beautiful production, drifting with dark synth glossiness that can feel a little meandering and aimless but just about avoids self-indulgence.
