Genesis Owusu – Smiling With No Teeth (2xLP)

Smiling With No Teeth is the debut studio album by Australian artist Genesis Owusu, released in 2021. It’s a genre-spanning record that blends hip hop, funk, punk, and soul into a vivid, shape-shifting sound. Across its tracks, Owusu confronts themes of identity, mental health, and racism, using striking imagery and bold musical shifts to tell his story. Songs like The Other Black Dog and Don’t Need You balance infectious grooves with sharp lyricism, creating music that feels as confrontational as it is celebratory.

The album’s dynamic production and fearless experimentation earned it wide acclaim, establishing Owusu as one of the most innovative new voices in contemporary music. From abrasive bursts of energy to smooth, groove-driven passages, Smiling With No Teeth holds together through its sharp narrative thread and Owusu’s magnetic delivery. It’s an album that resists easy categorization, rewarding listeners with its depth, daring, and unrelenting creativity.

Reviews:

“Genesis Owusu’s debut is wildly ambitious and wildly successful, an album that hopscotches between genres while addressing weighty themes with confidence and style.” – The Guardian

“A bold, inventive debut that challenges conventions and announces a major new talent.” – NME

“Smiling With No Teeth is a dazzling, genre-defying debut that blends funk, punk, and rap into something entirely its own.” – Rolling Stone Australia

“Genesis Owusu has crafted one of the most exciting debut albums in years, mixing vulnerability and bravado in equal measure.” – The Line of Best Fit

“His ability to meld storytelling with a kaleidoscope of sounds makes this debut a must-hear.” – Clash