Hugo is the third studio album by English hip hop artist Loyle Carner. It was released on 28 October 2022 via Virgin EMI Records. The album was written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and features production from Kwes, The Donuts, and Carner himself.
The album is named after Carner’s son, who was born in late 2020. Carner has said that he wanted the album to be a “true representation of the facts” for his son to look back on, documenting Carner’s life as a young, Black, artist dealing with issues from his past. As a result, the lyrical content of Hugo is largely autobiographical.
The album opens with the track “Hate,” which is a powerful meditation on the nature of hate and its destructive power. The track is followed by “Nobody Knows,” a soulful ballad about the importance of family and friends. The album then moves into more personal territory, with tracks like “Georgetown” (about Carner’s Guyanese heritage) and “Speed of Plight” (about the challenges of growing up in a low-income neighborhood).
The album’s second half is more introspective, with tracks like “Homerton” (about Carner’s relationship with his father) and “Blood on My Nikes” (about the guilt and shame of past mistakes). The album closes with the track “A Lasting Place,” a hopeful song about finding peace and happiness in the midst of life’s challenges.
Hugo has been praised by critics for its honest and introspective lyrics, its soulful production, and Carner’s raw and emotional vocals. The album has been nominated for a Mercury Prize, and has been met with widespread critical acclaim.
Hugo by Loyle Carner
Tracklisting:
Track 1: Hate
Track 2: Nobody Knows
Track 3: Georgetown
Track 4: Speed of Plight
Track 5: Homerton
Track 6: Blood On My Nikes
Track 7: Plastic
Track 8: A Lasting Place
Track 9: Polyfilla
Track 10: HGU