Description
Brighton-based dynamic pairing, Verbz & Mr Slipz, known for their entrancing blend of boom-bap, lo-fi lullabies and introspective lyrics, announced their return in 2025. Their much-anticipated album, THE WAY FWD, is a nod to the duo’s signature sound, featuring their unmistakable attention to detail, and promising a feast of soulful, dust-laden sonics. It’s a compelling follow-up to their 2020 offering, Radio Waves, emphasizing a heightened focus on arrangement, form, and musicality.
With the passage of five years between the two LPs, both artists have engaged in solitary and shared musical voyages, with their trial-and-error forays across genres playing a huge role in the album’s musical landscape. Drawing on the influences of other artists such as budding MC Cam Thomas and seasoned maestro Cappo, the record sees both Verbz & Slipz pushing the boundaries of their melodic dialogue. Deeply introspective, THE WAY FWD is a 12-track tapestry of versatile tunes, merging their novel energy with a sense of dizzying timelessness. Slipz’s refined musicality perfectly complements Verbz‘s achingly honest lyrical prowess, marking a high point in their collaborative journey.
Joining forces in Brighton, UK, the duo first caught the public’s attention with their inaugural 2017 outing, Lessons of Adolescence. The project’s success was mirrored in their next endeavor with the High Focus family, as their lush debut album, Radio Waves, hit the shelves in 2020. Along the way, Mr Slipz cemented his reputation as one of the coast’s most prolific producers. Pairing up with talent like Nelson Dialect for Sight Beyond Sight in 2023 and Vitamin G for its 2024’s Prophet Of Doom, Slipz’s restless creativity continues to serve an expansive catalogue of neck-snapping tunes.
Likewise, Croydon-native Verbz has fast become one of the UK’s notable emerging rappers. His effortless flow and introspective lyrics, coupled with Mr Slipz’s relaxed, jazzy sound, have created sonic waves in the UK scene. Their 22-piece project, Radio Waves, is testament to the duo’s grasp of the boom-bap genre and their ability to infuse it with fresh and engaging elements. The album sparked considerable acclaim, introducing them to a larger audience and reinforcing their musical connection.
The unveiling of the 12-track THE WAY FWD, set for official release on September 26, 2025, promises to be a pivotal moment in their shared discography. It’s poised to provide further proof of their musical growth and showcase the continual evolution of their sound. And if it happens to be their last combined effort in the genre, they’re set to close their collaborative chapter on a resoundingly high note. With additions like Cappo and India Shan gracing the tracklist, there’s a certain excitement surrounding the album’s potential to become a classic.
