Loyle Carner’s fourth album, hopefully !, is dreamier and lighter compared to 2022’s politically charged release Hugo, which was darker amidst its grime-inflected beats. Carner utilises live instruments and analogue textures to create a sense of emotional openness which creates an elegant energy. Another notable shift is that he (finally) experiments with singing on record; moving beyond his typical spoken word / rap style.

Akin to Frank Ocean; lyrical emotion takes precedent on this record. The vocals aren’t polished, but vulnerable and full of imperfection. It feels like someone finding their voice mid-sentence, which may sound unappealing, but it works because it’s real. However, he isn’t trying to sound like Frank Ocean; his singing is a vehicle for communicating raw emotions, not to impress.

The artwork features a photo of Carner covered in pen accompanied by his son; foregrounding fatherhood as a key theme even before you hit play. ‘Lyin’ showcases this sentiment through the gentle acoustic guitar and hushed flow. Its soft tone expresses total vulnerability, the bridge: “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared”, epitomises the tension between love and anxiety perfectly. ‘Lyin’ isn’t just a lullaby; it’s a meditation on the emotional rollercoaster that comes with parenthood and being responsible for a new life. The raw honesty place the listener right beside Carner in those quiet moments of fear and wonder.

‘Feel at Home’ builds upon the theme of vulnerability and fatherhood, featuring a child-like xylophone beat. The repeated lyric “you feel like home” emphasises that home is not a place but a feeling, and for Carner this is anchored in fatherhood. ‘Horcrux’ plays on similar sentiments and smartly draws from a concept created in the world of Harry Potter. In borrowing from that magical world, Carner likens his connection his children to splitting one’s soul. The song dwells on the emotional journey of being a parent and being conscious of generational trauma. The central metaphor functions as a sort of affirmation; not only recognising broken inheritance but the sense of wanting to actively craft something better for his children.

Musically, hopefully ! is layered with warm and acoustic textures. Some tracks feel like they could’ve been recorded in his living room; reinforcing the domestic themes. The introspective, surreal and soft-spoken lyrics are relaxing yet thought-provoking. Carner sticks to his roots but, particularly with his singing, provides fans with that bit more.