Little Simz continues her evolution with Lotus, her sixth studio album. Featuring sensitised singers Obongjayar and Moonchild Sanelly, the album builds on the prolific run Simz has maintained since 2022's No Thank You, which was followed by her first EP Drop 7, the stand-alone single 'Hello, Hi', and collaborations with Coldplay, Sampha and Wretch 32. Lotus explores transformation and resilience, with the lotus flower serving as a key metaphor: lotuses are infamously the only flowers to thrive even in muddy waters. Having described the lotus-like imagery as symbolic of the ability to create something "extraordinary" regardless of circumstances, Simz offers a profound depiction of resilience via the lead single 'Flood', which echoes 'Black Skinhead' era Kanye West with its deep, motile drumming and whispered, lyrical musings on the transfer of power.