Playtime Is Over

Wiley once promised to retire from emceeing after this record. He went back on that, but it explains the torrent of emotions here—he’s getting everything off his chest before he goes. He’s belligerently dismissive of UK grime’s phoney camaraderie on “Getalong Gang”’s darting rhythms, tender on ode to his daughter “Baby Girl”, and conciliatory on the meditative “Letter 2 Dizzee”. Musically, it’s some of his sharpest, steeliest work, although “Come Lay With Me” is a convincing venture into R&B.