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It’s been a long, long time coming, but today Bashy returns with the surprise news of a new album, Being Poor Is Expensive, his first drop since 2014’s “Bring The Lights Down” with Jareth. Ahead of the album’s release on July 12, we’ve now got the video for the lead single, “Sweet Boys Turned Sour”.
Since that last release 10 years ago, Ashley ‘Bashy’ Thomas has conquered the acting world on both sides of the Atlantic, starring in Top Boy, Great Expectations, 24: Legacy, and THEM. In fact, it was while staying in LA while making the latter that the first seeds of the new album were planted.
Speculation among fans that the North-West London legend might be returning to music was stoked when his era-defining Chupa Chups and Catch Me If You Can projects were uploaded to Spotify in February.
“Sweet Boys Turned Sour” gives a pretty representative look at what the rest of the album has in store. Tapping into an updated take on his rap sound, he tells the story of his experiences growing up in North-West London, the loss of innocence as life experience piles up, and how that shaped the man he is today. Running alongside is the accopnaying visuals, which bring the coming-of-age story to life right from the very Kensal Rise streets that raised him.
Speaking on the new video, video director George Power tells Complex: “Bashy’s lyrics in this track are so rich in storytelling, we wanted to create a simple but beautiful film that helps punctuate them. In this video, you’ll see Bashy reliving and reflecting on the trials and tribulations of his younger self. The influential, demonic character growing up is the local area personified, shown throughout using mixed animation style and appearing in childlike colours—far too tempting for any kid, sweet or sour, to resist.”
Check out the visuals for “Sweet Boys Turned Sour” exclusively above, peep the official artwork for Being Poor Is Expensive below, and be sure to add the song to your playlists.
