Mixtrape Review: Griff - 'One Foot In Front Of The Other'
Griff won the Brit Award for Rising Star – if her new mixtape is anything to go by, she’s walking into a huge career.
‘One Foot In Front Of The Other’ is a compendium of seven songs that suggests the Hertfordshire-born singer, songwriter and producer is going places – and may already be there.
The forward momentum is propelled by the anthemic ‘Black Hole’, a top 30 hit after last month’s BRITs performance. Griff did a sterling job then, and the bittersweet studio moment is a great introduction to the journey.
The title track is an example of the heights she can scale with her hits. Based around the uncertainty of the future, it builds into imminent proof of superstardom. She may have co-written for Hailee Steinfeld in the past – this is proof Griff’s ambition should be that big in her own right.
Following two bangers, her other skills come alive in the following tracks. Tracks like ‘Shade of Yellow’ and ‘Heart of Gold’ are indebted to her love of R&B and classic soul growing up. These styles have also influenced contemporary pop, but Griff gives these similar themes a personal twist.
Meanwhile ‘Remembering My Dreams’ is a shining example of bittersweet pop that keeps itself afloat amid its contradictions, particularly as she sings: “I’m tired, but I’m trying to stay awake, so keep the light on”.
Griff did some of her own production work on the mixtape, and this feels important in the fight to get more women behind the desks. It also helps highlight the results which burst with creativity and curiosity, particularly when she sings about Earl Grey tea being the answer in the penultimate track.
But it’s in the final song where Griff really shows her potential going places. Because one way to do any forward journey is to ‘Walk’, and this song is a solid banger which illuminates elements of Haim to make something that stands out shining amid a world of talented young female pop vocalists. It’s an insight into the potential brilliance to come from her.
Whether its making beats in secret in your bedroom, or taking them to the BRITs, Griff’s forward momentum – ‘One Foot In Front Of The Other’ – has got Griff so far. And deservedly so.
Words by Samuel Draper