i was coming into this one ready to dislike it if im being honest. mostly because the lead singles just weren't doing it for me - i felt the disconnect from the original jungle sound which i really enjoyed in her earlier work. i get it, she's maturing as an artist - moving more into a pop sound, with the cutesy lyricism and the slack vocal delivery. it just wasnt doing anything for me.

earlier this year i actually went to see nia live, in a nutty venue in hackney - and i regret to say i didnt enjoy the performance. it was fine - but she didnt play any bangers, the sound was just a mess, reverb everywhere - you could barely hear her voice. all in all it left a bad taste.

still, the last project of hers i really enjoyed was the EP 'Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against Tha Wall' which was short and sweet, had some cool sounds, some bangers and represented the jungle feeling. 'Silence Is Loud' kinda did away with that for me - i didnt enjoy. so now i've painted the picture, i'm here to say that i enjoyed it more than i expected to.

the album opens with 'Feelingz Go Numb' a really strong start to this project - a hard, snappy beat and that sliver of guitar strumming at the start- just sounds awesome.

some of the songs on this album i find too cheesy, songs like 'Danger', 'Boys In Blue', 'Dance With Me 2nite' - easily my least favourite songs on the album. they are a bore to listen to, just this pop-y, bouncy beat with no real meat - it just embodies everything i didnt like about her last project.

that being said, the track with jorja smith is easily one of the best if not the best on the album - a beat that i actually came here to listen to - and it doesnt take anything away from the pop angle. both of the themes come through here - the catchy chorus with jorja's silky background vocals and the snappy, atmospheric jungle beat - it just fits together so cleanly. this is what i came for.

'train of thought' is another highlight for me - beautiful chorus with the clever production melts into this really emotional cut on the album which is a standout for me. the vocals actually remind me more of a hyperpop style- that being a great thing - it actually feels like something pinkpantheress could've whipped up.

a lot of the rest of the album really feels like lackluster, generic pop with some dnb sounds sprinkled in. honestly i dont see what the big fuss is here. the album is put together well - there isnt a mismatch in the energy - it generally holds steady. but the story still feels pretty vague to me, maybe i need to listen more? but it's clear nia is pulling together two genres, being pop and jungle and honestly? probably isn't doing a bad job - i'm just missing the old sound.

nia archives' sophomore album was a step up for me from her last entry, but still leaves something to be desired from allll di real original junglists.