Today is a sad day, but here’s hoping that Stormzy’s new album Heavy Is The Head can give us a semblance of light in this dark time. The UK grime star, and all-round inspirational guy, released his much-anticipated second album today, following the release of lead single “Vossi Bop” back in April, which earned him his first UK No 1 single.

The album, which includes some banging samples of “Baby Boy” by Big Brovaz and the Tracy Beaker theme song (what a legend, seriously), is released on Stormzy’s own imprint #Merky. Other singles on the record include “Crown”, “Wiley Flow”, and “Own It”, featuring guest spots by Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy, and “Audacity”, which features Headie One. The record also includes contributions from H.E.R., Yebba, Aitch, and Tiana Major 9.

The album cover sees Stormzy holding the now-iconic bulletproof vest with the Union Jack symbol, designed by Banksy for his historic Glastonbury set earlier this year, and was put on display in London in October.

While the results of yesterday’s general election have proved heartbreaking for many, it’s impossible to ignore the impact Stormzy has had on encouraging young people to vote. A record-breaking 350,000 people registered to vote following a post of social media. Of this number – the highest in a single day this entire electoral campaign – 150,000 were under 25, while 264,000 were under 35.

The “Stormzy effect” has seen the rapper single-handedly paying the tuition fees and maintenance loans for two students at Cambridge University for the last two years.

Listen to the album below.