Nothing Great About Britain

{{use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox album | name = Nothing Great About Britain | type = studio | artist = Slowthai | cover = Nothing Great About Britain album cover.png | alt = | released = {{Start date|2019|5|17|df=y}} | genre = {{hlist|British hip hop|political hip hop|grime}} | length = 32:33 (standard) 51:46 (deluxe) | label = Method Records | producer = {{hlist|Kwes Darko|Mura Masa|Anish Bhatt|JD. Reid|Slaves|Earbuds}} | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = Tyron | next_year = 2021 | misc = {{Singles | name = Nothing Great About Britain | type = studio | single1 = Doorman | single1date = 19 November 2018<ref name="doorman">{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/99182687|title=Doorman / slowthai|website=Tidal|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> | single2 = Peace of Mind | single2date = 19 February 2019<ref name="peaceofmind">{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/103997176|title=Peace of Mind / slowthai|website=Tidal|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> | single3 = Gorgeous | single3date = 28 March 2019<ref name="gorgeous">{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/106321250|title=Gorgeous / slowthai|website=Tidal|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> | single4 = Nothing Great About Britain | single4date = 3 May 2019<ref name="NGABsingle">{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/108787197|title=Nothing Great About Britain / slowthai|website=Tidal|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> }} }}

'''''Nothing Great About Britain''''' is the debut studio album by British rapper Slowthai. It was released on 17 May 2019 via Method Records.<ref name="itunes">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/nothing-great-about-britain/1457181800|title=Nothing Great About Britain by slowthai|website=iTunes|access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref> The album features guest appearances from British rappers Jaykae and Skepta, as well as production credits from Kwes Darko, Mura Masa and punk rock band Slaves.<ref name="nme"/>

''Nothing Great About Britain'' was released to widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received a score of 82, based on 15 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic"/>

==Background and release== The album title was announced on 22 February 2019 following the premiere of single "Peace of Mind".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/slowthai-announces-debut-album-shares-surreal-peace-of-mind-video-2452936|title=Slowthai announces debut album and shares surreal 'Peace of Mind' video|publisher=NME|date=22 February 2019|first=Rhian|last=Daly|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> The album's artwork, tracklisting and release date were then announced by slowthai amidst his UK tour on 28 March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/read/slowthai-debut-album-nothing-great-about-britain-news|title=Slowthai to release debut album 'Nothing Great About Britain' in May|publisher=mixmag.net|date=30 March 2019|first=Jasmine|last=Kent-Smith|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nothing-great-about-britain-slowthai-announces-details-debut-album-2468246|title=Nothing Great About Britain: Slowthai announces details of debut album|publisher=NME|date=28 March 2019|first=Nick|last=Reilly|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref>

The album's lead single "Doorman", a collaboration with electronic music producer Mura Masa, was released on 19 November 2018; shortly after its premiere as BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac's ''Hottest Record''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00015v6|title=slowthai Hottest Record|website=BBC Radio 1|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> The second single, "Peace of Mind", was released on 19 February 2019; shortly after its premiere as BBC Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart's ''Hottest Record''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0002jhp|title=Phil sits in for Annie|website=BBC Radio 1|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> Third single, "Gorgeous", was released on 28 March 2019; shortly after its premiere on Julie Adenuga's Beats 1 show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/post/sa.75723930-5159-11e9-8d18-75a0bb577fca?app=music&ign-itsct=be1_con_jul&ign-itscg=30302&ign-mpt=uo%3D8|title=Watch "slowthai" on 'Nothing Great About Britain'" posted by Julie Adenuga on Apple Music|website=Apple Music|accessdate=13 May 2019}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The title track was released as the album's fourth single on 3 May 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2019/05/03/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain-title-track-video-watch|title=slowthai shares title track from 'Nothing Great About Britain'|publisher=DIY|date=3 May 2019|accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> A music video for "Inglorious", featuring Skepta, was released on 16 May 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/05/16/slowthai-skepta-inglorious-video|title=Slowthai and Skepta face the inquisition in the "Inglorious" video|publisher=The Fader|date=16 May 2019|accessdate=17 May 2019|first=Jordan|last=Darville}}</ref>

==Artwork==

The album’s artwork was released to the public amidst his UK tour on 28 March 2019. The cover features the now demolished Berkeley House in Northampton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/11/slowthai-i-love-britain-great|title= Rapper Slowthai: ‘I love Britain, but we’re losing sight of what makes us great’|publisher=The Guardian|date=11 May 2019|accessdate=10 March 2025|first=Dorian|last=Lynskey}}</ref>

==Reception== ===Critical reception=== {{Album ratings | ADM = 7.7/10<ref name="ADM">{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/9894/slowthai-Nothing-Great-About-Britain.aspx|title=Nothing Great About Britain by slowthai reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|accessdate=6 August 2019}}</ref> | MC = 82/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/nothing-great-about-britain/slowthai|title=Nothing Great About Britain by slowthai Reviews and Tracks|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=13 December 2019}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/nothing-great-about-britain-mw0003273734|title=Nothing Great About Britain – slowthai|last=Simpson|first=Paul|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=25 July 2019}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Financial Times'' | rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/7b3e06d0-762c-11e9-be7d-6d846537acab|title=Slowthai: Nothing Great about Britain — a social commentary that falls a little flat|last=Hunter-Tilney|first=Ludovic|date=17 May 2019|work=Financial Times|accessdate=9 August 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | rev3 = ''The Guardian'' | rev3score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/16/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain-album-review|title=Slowthai: Nothing Great About Britain review – snarling in the face of power|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|date=16 May 2019|work=The Guardian|accessdate=16 May 2019}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Mojo'' | rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=Slowthai: Nothing Great About Britain|last=Cowan|first=Andy|date=June 2019|journal=Mojo|issue=307|page=96}}</ref> | rev5 = ''NME'' | rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/slowthai-nothing-great-britain-review-2488719|title=Slowthai – 'Nothing Great About Britain' review|last=Kasambala|first=Natty|date=16 May 2019|work=NME|accessdate=28 November 2019}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Observer'' | rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/19/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain-review|title=Slowthai: Nothing Great About Britain review – rage and beguiling honesty|last=Morris|first=Damien|date=19 May 2019|work=The Observer|accessdate=9 August 2019}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev7Score = 8.4/10<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain/|title=Slowthai: Nothing Great About Britain|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|date=21 May 2019|work=Pitchfork|accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Q'' | rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=Slowthai: Nothing Great About Britain|last=Aroesti|first=Rachel|date=July 2019|journal=Q|issue=399|page=114}}</ref> | rev9 = ''The Times'' | rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain-review-jrkmrfsg9|title=Slowthai: Nothing Great About Britain review|last=Hodgkinson|first=Will|author-link=Will Hodgkinson|date=17 May 2019|work=The Times|access-date=9 August 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Uncut'' | rev10score = 7/10<ref>{{cite journal|title=Slowthai: Nothing Great About Britain|last=Pattison|first=Louis|date=July 2019|journal=Uncut|issue=266|page=34}}</ref> }}

''Nothing Great About Britain'' was met with critical acclaim by music critics upon its initial release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 82, based on 15 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="Metacritic"/>

Amongst those praising the album was AllMusic's Paul Simpson, who judged that "His debut album far surpasses the promise of those early tracks, tackling similar topics but with a much sharper focus."<ref name="AllMusic"/> In a review for ''Clash'', Yasmin Cowan wrote, "slowthai systematically and seamlessly tears down toxic politics, misguided notions of nationalism and social injustices with sardonic wit, seething vocals and woundingly skittish beats."<ref name="Clash">{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain|title=slowthai – Nothing Great About Britain|last=Cowan|first=Yasmin|date=16 May 2019|work=Clash|accessdate=16 May 2019}}</ref> Jake Hawkes also rated the album positively in a review for ''Dork'', claiming that "[the album] is a triumph of a debut, genre-straddling, quick-witted and, most importantly, very fun to listen to. In it, Slowthai sticks two fingers up at the Britain of blue passports, the royals and the Tory party, while simultaneously raising up the alternative Britain, one of family and working-class pride."<ref name="Dork">{{Cite web|url=https://www.readdork.com/reviews/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain|title=Slowthai – Nothing Great About Britain|last=Hawkes|first=Jake|date=16 May 2019|work=Dork|accessdate=16 May 2019}}</ref>

Dan-O of Freemusicempire was clear that the promise of Slowthai's future is the real takeaway. "''Nothing Great About Britain'' is a debut so he hasn't been steered into any lanes yet. You can feel the specificity in his perspective pairing with the ease of his skill and joyful thump of the sonic universe. Don't worry what number this is on the best of the year list. Numbers don't matter here: slowthai is here and fun to listen to."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freemusicempire.com/2019/09/05/bandcampgold-best-u-k-albums-of-2019/|title=#Bandcampgold-Best U.K. Albums of 2019|date=5 September 2019}}</ref>

Alexis Petridis gave the album a full five-star rating in a review for ''The Guardian'', calling it "Clever, bleak, funny, bracing, aware of a broad musical heritage but never in thrall to it: after you hear ''Nothing Great About Britain'', it’s even more obvious why Slowthai stands out."<ref name="Guardian"/> Tom Critten gave similar praise in a review for ''Loud and Quiet''; "Brutally honest and amusingly witty with his flow, aggressive and dynamic with his production work, and captivatingly appealing with his charm and charisma, all taken together it assembles a hugely impressive, compelling and socially important listen. And whilst it’s a damning verdict on the current climate, all hope is not surrendered – after all, a full scale disavow of Britain does not feel like it’s reached in his prose."<ref name="Loud&Quiet">{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain/|title=slowthai – Nothing Great About Britain – Album review|last=Critten|first=Tom|date=14 May 2019|work=Loud and Quiet|accessdate=17 May 2019}}</ref> Jazz Monroe also gave a positive review for ''Pitchfork'', stating that "''Nothing Great About Britain'' avoids cross-generational pandering and bypasses territorial arguments over the borders of grime and UK rap. What binds the album is slowthai’s soul: his meticulously drawn characters, his affinity for left-behind outsiders"<ref name="Pitchfork"/>

While the album was well-regarded by most reviewers, some were more critical of it. Ben Devlin questioned the praise it received in a review for ''musicOMH'', asking "what is there apart from these homages and imitations? Not much. The production shines at times, for example the punky thrash of Mura Masa-produced 'Doorman', but it’s undermined with clangers like 'you make me melt, sun, ice cream', and the sub-bass tones of 'Crack' deserve better accompaniment than another 'she’s a drug to me' cliché."<ref name="musicOMH">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/slowthai-nothing-great-about-britain|title=Slowthai – Nothing Great About Britain|last=Devlin|first=Ben|date=May 21, 2019|website=musicOMH|accessdate=July 25, 2019}}</ref>

=== Year-end rankings === {| class="sortable wikitable" |+Year-end lists |- ! Publication ! Accolade ! Rank ! class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | ''Afisha Daily'' (Russia) | The Best Foreign Albums of 2019 | {{center|12}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://daily.afisha.ru/music/13948-luchshie-zarubezhnye-albomy-2019-goda/|trans-title=The Best Foreign Albums of 2019|title=Лучшие зарубежные альбомы 2019 года|website=Afisha Daily|date=December 26, 2019}}</ref>}} |- | ''NME'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2019 | {{center|4}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/features/the-greatest-albums-of-2019-2586777|title=The 50 best albums of 2019|website=NME|date=December 16, 2019}}</ref>}} |}

==Track listing== Credits adapted from Tidal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/109121621|title=Nothing Great About Britain (Deluxe) / slowthai|website=Tidal|accessdate=17 May 2019}}</ref> {{Track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = Nothing Great About Britain | length1 = 3:09 | writer1 = {{hlist|Tyron Frampton|Kwes Darko}} | extra1 = Darko | title2 = Doorman | note2 = with Mura Masa | length2 = 3:04 | writer2 = {{hlist|Frampton|Alexander Crossan}} | extra2 = Mura Masa | title3 = Dead Leaves | length3 = 2:48 | writer3 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko}} | extra3 = Darko | title4 = Gorgeous | length4 = 4:15 | writer4 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko}} | extra4 = Darko | title5 = Crack | length5 = 2:16 | writer5 = {{hlist|Frampton|Poppy Ajudah|Anish Bhatt}} | extra5 = {{hlist|Bhatt|Slowthai{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | title6 = Grow Up | note6 = featuring Jaykae | length6 = 3:00 | writer6 = {{hlist|Frampton|Jordan Day Reid|Janum Khan}} | extra6 = JD. Reid | title7 = Inglorious | note7 = featuring Skepta | length7 = 3:08 | writer7 = {{hlist|Frampton|Reid|Joseph Junior Adenuga}} | extra7 = JD. Reid | title8 = Toaster | length8 = 3:04 | writer8 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko}} | extra8 = Darko | title9 = Peace of Mind | length9 = 2:27 | writer9 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko}} | extra9 = Darko | title10 = Missing | length10 = 2:20 | writer10 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko|Laurence Vincent|Isaac Holman}} | extra10 = {{hlist|Darko|Slaves{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | title11 = Northampton's Child | length11 = 3:02 | writer11 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko}} | extra11 = Darko | total_length = 32:33 }} {{Track listing | headline = Digital deluxe bonus tracks | extra_column = Producer(s) | title12 = Drug Dealer | length12 = 3:08 | writer12 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko|Reid}} | extra12 = JD. Reid | title13 = North Nights | length13 = 3:32 | writer13 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko}} | extra13 = Darko | title14 = Rainbow | length14 = 2:44 | writer14 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko|Reid}} | extra14 = {{hlist|Darko|JD. Reid}} | title15 = Ladies | length15 = 3:19 | writer15 = {{hlist|Frampton|Darko}} | extra15 = Darko | title16 = Polaroid | length16 = 3:36 | writer16 = Frampton | extra16 = Darko | title17 = T N Biscuits | length17 = 2:46 | writer17 = {{hlist|Frampton|Bhatt|Samuel Castillano}} | extra17 = Earbuds | total_length = 51:35 }} '''Notes''' * {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer.

==Personnel== ;Technical *Mixed by Michalis "MsM" Michael, except "Doorman" mixed by Kwes Darko *Mastered by Henkka Niemistö

;Design *Art direction – James Hamilton *Artwork production and project manager – Andy Picton *Artwork production assistants – Sonni Wibaut and Tom Griffiths *Artwork stylist – Daniel Pacitti *Creative director – Lewis Levi *Graphic design – George Smith *Photography – Crowns & Owls; assisted by Giles Smith and Will Reid

==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2019) ! scope="col"| Peak position |- {{album chart|Ireland|64|M|url=http://www.irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Albums|title=Irish Albums Chart: 24 May 2019|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|rowheader=true|accessdate=25 May 2019}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|18|date=20190524|rowheader=true|accessdate=25 May 2019}} |- {{album chart|UK2|9|date=20190524|rowheader=true|accessdate=25 May 2019}} |- {{album chart|UKR&B|1|date=20190531|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 July 2019}} |}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Slowthai|title=Nothing Great About Britain|award=Silver|id=17532-5729-2|type=album|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|accessdate=October 6, 2021}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true| noshipments=true}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:2019 debut albums Category:Slowthai albums Category:Albums produced by Mura Masa