High Focus Records continue their genre dominance with this, their latest release coming from Lee Scott who has built a formidable reputation with a career filled with classics in his signature, unique vibe. ‘Butter Fly’ is produced in its entirety by HF’s own Dirty Dike, and is the first whole project the SMB representative has made the beats for. Dike’s jazzy instrumentals and Lee’s swaggering presence and witty lyricism combine to create one of the best UK hip hop albums I’ve heard for a while.
The album gets underway with the title track, and the chilled, crisp instrumental with intermittent piano chords and a subtle, simplistic drum beat allows for Lee Scott to drop bars filled with nice internal rhymes and heavy multisyllabics. The pitched adlibs add to Lee’s swegged out atmosphere, and it’s an opener that is guaranteed to make you listen on. Following this comes the fantastic ‘Don’t Make Me’, which has been on repeat since the video was released online. The slow paced beat with an infectious walking bassline and Lee’s intricate writing style and uniquely hilarious punchlines, such as ‘I don’t give a fraction of an ounce of a fuck/It’s an accident I’m on this this planet like Howard the Duck’ make this one of the standouts.
The dusty ‘Walking The Walk’ is another excellent cut from ‘Butter Fly’. Lee’s leftfield imagery, relatable references and consistently confident delivery show that his pen game and microphone presence are second to none. He’s a giant in the game, and a self-proclaimed one at that if we are to believe that he’s really ‘playing human sized subbuteo’ as is said on the slightly trippy ‘Manatee Rap’. The scathing analysis of the lazy society we’re all a part of right now on ‘Watch TV’ is a dope concept track, and shows Lee’s versatility. Dike’s ear for smooth samples that gel perfectly with Scott’s style and flow is apparent throughout ‘Butter Fly’, making it an exceptionally cohesive listen.
‘Eight O’ Clock In The Morning’ is another dope track with subtle samples and hard hitting boom bap drums. Lee’s second verse on this track is incredibly well structured with a weird storytelling vibe, and it’s very well executed. Following this comes my personal favourite track from the album; ‘Sell Drugs’. This track embodies what makes Lee Scott one of the most listenable artists in the scene right now with witty concepts and heavy bars , and Dike’s pounding kicks and tight snares provide the perfect backdrop.
‘Butter Fly’ is an outstanding release from front to back. Lee Scott and Dirty Dike’s partnership works sublimely, with suitable beats and charismatic spitting throughout. This is pure butter; jazzy, fresh and undeniably individual. High Focus haven’t disappointed yet, and I can’t see them starting now.
By Sam Bennett
@TheRealPP
@TinFoilFronts
@DirtyDikeSMB
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