Kojaque, otherwise known as Kevin Smith, is the latest in a long line of musical talent coming out of Dublin. On his debut album, the young rapper specialises in carving out sharply observed slices of life in the Irish capital, and in particular the experiences of the city’s young people, ravaged by years of political, economic and social change that have priced many out of finding their own home. Indeed, Kojaque wrote the album while living at home with his mum. 

It’s the album’s title track that is the most immediately arresting here, a savage attack that contains the lines “You could try the house share, try rentin’ / Bitta money for the landlord’s pension / Heads are gonna roll soon, no warning / Man town’s not dead yet, it’s just dormant”, and takes a swipe at the role of developers and the impact they’ve had: “Now the corpo’s knocking down the flats / Just to build a few gaffs / Just to fill ‘em with triple-barrel sir names”.

Despite the obvious anger on show, Kojaque clearly is fiercely proud of the city he calls home. On Sex N’ Drugs, featuring Célia Tiab, Kojaque namechecks fellow Dublin breakout stars – and the creators of this writer’s favourite album of last year – Pillow Queens. There’s affection and honesty woven into his stories too – Rover tells a relatable-for-many romantic tale of young love turning sour, while Jinty Boy Blues is a beautifully slick tale with a simple beat that conjures up memories of The Streets early and best material.

It’s a deeply personal record, too. No Hands is a shatteringly raw account of losing his father to suicide as child. It’s a powerful lyric, and one that confirms Kojaque’s incredible talent. Make no mistake, this young man has the world at his feet. 

Town’s Dead tracklist:

1. Heartbreak
2. New Year, Who’s This? (Interlude)
3. Town’s Dead
4. Wickid Tongues
5. Shmelly
6. That Deep
7. Black Sheep, Part One
8. Rover
9. Jinty Boy Blues
10. No Hands
11. Part Two
12. Sex N’ Drugs (featuring Célia Tiab)
13. Fallin For It
14. Coming Up (featuring Célia Tiab)
15. Casio (featuring Maverick Sabre)
16. Curtains

Watch the official video for Town’s Dead here.

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.