Noga Erez "The Vandalist"

Taking a sometimes satirical, sometimes confessional look at the contemporary complexity of real and online life, NOGA EREZ’ third album, THE VANDALIST, arrives brimful of monster tunes, intricate production, wit, charm and attitude. It also represents a significant leap from 2021’s trailblazing KIDS, which saw her profile rise on the back of an outpouring of critical praise and widespread touring, not to mention, among many TV appearances, a stunning, brass-fuelled performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! This time, she’s expanded her emotional range, shifting effortlessly from sultry to savage, while demonstrating an arguably even greater ambition, whether in her quickfire lyrics, the astonishing broadening of her vocal styles, or the elaborate backing she crafts with partner and producer ORI ROUSSO. If KIDS’ crossover appeal was best summarised by the late Neil Kulkarni, who described it in The Quietus as “emblematic of how rap has now swallowed pop whole”, it’s a real shame he’s not here to hear this follow-up.