Akira The Don / The Life Equation

Akira The Don
The Life Equation
Living In The Future
* * * *

Having originally emerged last year, this latest album from Akira The Don has received a welcome physical release. ‘The Life Equation’ proves wholeheartedly that he remains as intriguing a songwriter now as he was when he first appeared on our radar, back in the mysterious musical landscape of 2004.

He’s turning his hand to a myriad of different styles as ever, with the early juxtaposition of the guitar-soaked speedcore of ‘Video Highway’ and the funk-inflected hip-hop of ‘All The Right Things’ being a case in point. Pushing the envelope in time-honoured tradition, Akira The Don’s forward-thinking approach has resulted the LP’s title track being pretty much a mixtape within an album. It’s a stirring affair.

Another highlight is the Gruff Rhys collaboration ‘We Won’t Be Broke Forever Baby’, which, as well as deserving inclusion in the setlist of every indie disco in the land, merits a place in folklore for capturing the spirit of this recession-hit isle in catchy, upbeat fashion.

Throughout the album, his lyrical delivery embodies the full gamut of emotions. He creates a heart-warming impression of fragility in places, alongside the usual dose of humour and politics. Furthermore, it’s pleasing to have an artist who comes across as self-aware as he does.

While his continuous genre slalom won’t be for everyone, Akira The Don has come up with a bit of a gem here. If you can cope with an album as stylistically unpredictable as this, there’s no reason not to immerse yourself in his world.

Charlie Ashcroft