Discover the Suave Side of UK Bass Music: Capo Lee and BAKEY’s latest single ‘AM TO PM’ brings a cleaner side to grime with words and subs that still hit hard as ever
Single Review: AM TO PM
For people who like…grime, garage, UK bassline
Capo Lee’s known for holding some of the highest energy bass music nights out there, all while bringing more laid-back lyrical content and delivery than most other garage or grime rappers. His sophisticated lyricism is perhaps made more tranquil from beats provided by El Londo, IZCO, and now a second collaboration with BAKEY – all known for smooth, suave and refined productions. AM TO PM continues the graceful grimewave, but manages to strike a fine balance of clean and dirty with weighty basslines, sharp high-ends, and brazen bars.
The track starts with a calm reggae style synth, with a nice garage beat simmering in the background letting you know something with energy is coming. Capo Lee then chimes in with confident commentary, “Got skill like Brazilian, one day I’m gonna make more than a million”, alongside a shrill synth pad that you might not have expected from the beginning.
Don’t play I’ll send man a box
No chicken and chips inside
Then the song drops with a bouncy but rigid garage beat, and Capo bringing the lyrical fire, “Don’t play I’ll send man a box, no chicken and chips inside”. He continues to show off his lyrical talent for the rest of the track, complemented by BAKEY’s well-rounded and full-bodied bass. To be honest, I really wasn’t expecting basslines this heavy initially, but it came as a welcome surprise as I’m swaying from side to side and pulling somewhat of a mild bassface.
Reaching the end of the song, bass wise I feel like I’ve been taken on a journey from jungle subs and classic phone ring samples, to murky bassline stabs reminiscent of the early grime and dubstep days, all with an overarching distorted powerbass synth that almost rattles my headphones – as a fan of bass music, I absolutely love it.
Having only discovered Capo Lee relatively recently, I’m intrigued by his ability to deliver some bold bars as relaxed and calmly as ever, all while carrying an air of innocence and sophistication that can only be appreciated. His latest single with BAKEY – AM TO PM – is a brilliant illustration of how far UK grime, garage and bassline has come over the years; having just about pulled off a track that would get bassheads screwing faces at the rave, but that you could also play to your granny and she might enjoy it.
