August: 9 dubstep & grime releases you need to hear this month

Tizzy Gang 'Opps Next Door Vol 1' (Self-Release)

Tizzy Gang are comprised of Merky Ace, Cadell and Canadian spitter Tre Mission, all of whom are far better lyricists and beatmakers than given credit for. ‘Opps Next Door’ marks their first album release proper, and sees the trio exchange flows over a remarkable 20 tracks, with additional production from Faze Miyake and Filthy Gears, and guest features from UK and Canadian artists including MIK, Nasty Jack and Lord Cutty. The LP feels admittedly too long and more like a rap mixtape than a cohesive album, but maybe that’s the point; why not? Merky’s flow remains as potent as ever – on ‘Shekkel’, he sprays with so much intensity he seems to generate his own beat as he spits – while Tre, the first North American MC to really fuck with grime, shines on ‘Breakfast’ and hard-as-nails vocal rally ‘Eski’.

8/10