OVO Sound
Great Is He sees a return for the king of dancehall, Popcaan, the Jamaican-born superstar’s first weighty effort since 2020’s critically acclaimed FIXTAPE. FIXTAPE was a perfect blend of every facet of his work, from slow jams to raucous foot stompers, while showcasing his ability to move forward as a musician without straying too far from his roots. FIXTAPE benefitted from its variety, bouncing between reggae and hip-hop with a dollop of electronica thrown in.
Sadly, Great Is He doesn’t hit the same heights, suffering under its own weight. There are plenty of good moments, and Popcaan’s voice is as strong as ever, but the record feels a little bloated and repetitive. The album sees Popcaan reflecting on his rise to the top, referencing his humble beginnings; you can certainly forgive his braggadocious nature. There are plenty of sharp moments, but equally, there are some lulls where the energy wanes, and you feel seventeen tracks is definitely too many.
The album starts strongly with the distorted, moody ‘Defeat The Struggles’, a track where Popcaan reflects on the struggles he’s overcome while musing that “Being at the top is kinda lonely”. ‘Freshness’ pulls you from the darkness into the sunshine, dripping in Caribbean energy with its popping steel drums. It’s Popcaan at his most confident, name-dropping brands (“Louis V and di Nike, me abuse it”) with pride and more than a hint of swagger. ‘Skeleton Cartier’ is a similarly upbeat effort, dancehall meeting synth pop.
The middle of the record starts to flag, tracks like ‘Teach Me’ and ‘Cry Fi Yuh Body’ falling flat, as some of the beats start to feel repetitive. Burna Boy helps elevate ‘Aboboyaa’, a jaunty number with horns dropping in and out as Popcaan and Burna Boy effortlessly interchange. ‘Next to Me’ brings some nice soulful energy as he duets with his girlfriend, Tori Ann-Singh; it’s gently romantic if a little stilted. ‘Set Fit’ lifts you from the lull with its big pulsing beats, but ‘New Benz’ feels like unnecessary filler.
The album’s conclusion sees Popcaan getting more reflective, delving into his past. ‘St. Thomas Native’ is a hazy, nostalgic nod to his roots, while ‘Wish No Bad’ provides a nice change-up with its skittish beats. ‘Appreciation’ practices what it preaches before moving into the tender ‘Past Life’, as Popcaan reflects that the “Struggle is over now”. The stripped-back ‘Memories’ is a powerful, semi-acoustic number that serves as a shout-out to lost friends. The closer, ‘Great Is He’ provides a gospel-tinged conclusion, with Popcaan advising the next generation to keep dreaming and “Stay real to the family”.
Great Is He shows Popcaan’s ability to stay connected to his roots. Despite some material bragging, he is self-aware, recognising the path he has had to travel and showing appreciation for those who supported him. A refreshing humbleness lurks beneath the surface, providing the album with an emotional depth. Great Is He merely needs some pruning, hack away some of the filler, and you have a perfectly good album.