After a very quiet 2018, the 20-year-old Golden Boy Dave aka “Streatham Santan” debuts his 11-track-album “Psychodrama”. To set the scene going into this, Dave in my opinion easily sits in the elite of UK artists, blending bangers with substance. His album worthy EP “Game Over” is one of two albums (I Told You is the other) which I’ve given a 9/10 (check out my review of Game Over here) which set the bar coming into this very high. The singles and features also added to the spark; “Funky Friday”, “All I Ever Wanted” and the chart-topping “Funky Friday” so yeah, DUN TALKING LETS GOOOO.
1. Psycho*
This transitional opener sees Dave flipping between both the post and the present. He’s having a conversation with a therapist unraveling his aspirations, being misunderstood and a successful artist. A very impressive start to the project as I expected.
2. Streatham
I’ve seen this video floating about for a few days now but didn’t dive into it as I wanted to hear the project in one. Dave is really taking on these trap infused beats and coming out with some throwback stories of his upbringing in Streatham. The indirect line must be a look back to the past (psychodrama) as I don’t recall anyone going at him recently.
“And I ain’t on
indirects , diss me, and I take that personal
How you gassed off a note that’s purple?
Bet you never got it off white like Virgil”
3. Black*
With Dave, it didn’t surprise me too much to hear this as the lead single from the project. It impresses me now as much as it did the first time I heard it especially being Afro-Caribbean myself. Dave shows awareness beyond his years to shed light on the challenges, misconceptions, and the inner-strength the culture has. It’s sad that Annie Mac had to step out to
“Look, black is beautiful, black is excellent
Black ispain , black is joy, black is evident
It’s workin’ twice as hard as the people you know you’re better than”
4. Purple Heart
Dave is fully proclaiming his appreciation for a female in his life and telling her everything he will do for her. I would be surprised if he hadn’t heard Nipsey “4 in The Mornin” they come at the calming sample in the same way.
5. Location ft Burna Boy
With Burna Boy my expectation for this feature was a standard AfroBeats / Afro-Swing type song light on any messages. I like it though this is fun, a well-placed switch up from the heavy stuff we’ve had so far. The electronic afro bounce to this will definitely do well in the summer too its wavey, Jae5 is a monster.
6. Disaster ft J Hus
NOW, when you put Husssla baby on the tracklist I know I’m in for something special. Their 2017 collaboration “Samatha” still sits in the legendary status category this doesn’t surpass that but the back to back is fire.
“I know people wearing Rollies doing life in
can
Isn’t that ironic that they couldn’t find the time to plan?” – Dave
7. Screwface Capital
It’s funny I’ve heard this reference to a “Screwface Capital” made a few times but always about Toronto (Drake – 5am Toronto and Tory Lanez – August 19th). The meaning of the reference is clear though everything is unapologetic and not sweet in the slightest, cool tune.
8. Environment
We are back are back into the introspection, with Dave looking into himself and the “urban” industry. I really like how he’s talking even larger on this than he did his EP. A refreshing interlude feel.
9. Lesley ft Ruelle
Dave gives us some real deep storytelling of abuse on this. The descriptions are so vivid this I can literally picture Lesley’s life experiences in my head. He has to make a video it’s another Shiro’s Story.
10.Voices
I’m still blown away by Lesley coming into this more playful vibe. The one thing I’ve noted with Dave’s music he really puts his pain on his sleeve. Hearing voices really isn’t something to take lightly.
11. Drama*
The way how he’s constructed this album is truly remarkable. Talking so openly to his brother and us at the same time. Dave yet again like he did on “My 19th Birthday” timestamps his journey and everything that has come with it, classic.
“I ain’t got a vision of a marriage or a wedding ring
It’s world domination in music or it ain’t anything
I’m obsessed, focused on the objective”
“Psychodrama” is essentially a form of therapy where a patient acts out past events. Dave not only maintains that scope on the album but goes beyond it. Songs like “Black”, “Lesley” and “Drama” not only draws on his experiences but those of a race, gender and culture . Dave opened up even more than his EP with that ability to position himself in the shoes of others.
On the melodic side, he also gave us a few sprinkles of sauce churning out hits like”Disaster” and “Location” not sure either of them is on “No Words” level though.
The only critique I have is even though there is growth at points the poetic angle feels very similar to the Game Over EP. I’m not sure I’d be so receptive to another project if it was packaged the same again. Overall, a very strong debut equally.
Top 3 Tracks: Black, Psycho and Drama
Rating: 9.2/10
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