LOFN 3: As WeTalkSound grows, the music makes strides towards better love stories [Album Review]

For WeTalkSound, neither is the case. In 2017, I caught a whiff of what was to change into the most important group of creatives in Nigeria. That yr, the thought was principally based mostly off ardour and no actual course. Nonetheless, they have been serving as a platform that showcases the artwork of budding Nigerian expertise via conversations on the digital group of Telegram.

It was apparent that one thing was occurring – no one simply knew what it was. On the time, I interviewed Dolapo Amusat, the convener of the group. Coincidentally, he was additionally my fourth main interview as I set off on a path that I did not notice was journalism. That was 2017 – simply earlier than LOFN 1 dropped.

In hindsight, my evaluate for LOFN 1 was barely harsh. These have been youngsters like me who have been merely making an attempt to determine issues out. They have been no specialists at creating albums or something – they have been simply contributing their quota to the tradition. In 2019, they launched the second installment of LOFN – it was higher, however nonetheless not groundbreaking.

Now, we’re on the third installment of LOFN and its a stark reflection of what development is. In truth, it’s the quintessential illustration of what occurs once you enable expertise to develop – It dropped on Valentine’s day, 2020. For one, WeTalkSound is rising exponentially with higher course and what it desires to change into as a inventive company that banks on human capital.

On the music entrance, artists like Meji, Vader or Inglorious M.O.B epitomize the difficulty of development.

Across the first time I spoke with Dolapo Amusat for WeTalkSound, I heard Meji ship a reply to MI Abaga’s ‘You Rappers Ought to Repair Up Your Lives’ and I wasn’t impressed. However since then, I’ve heard his final 4 singles and boy, he is onto one thing spectacular. This time, he delivered the most effective track on LOFN Three with, ‘Overkill.’

There’s the factor of precise rap and sung-rap as Meji discusses the explanations he feels love for a lady. It is like he merged Future, 6lack, Drake, XXXTentacion and others into one.

For Vader, the expertise has by no means been doubtful. On Lagos In July, a collaborative EP with TGM (Dolapo Amusat), he showcased his development, however ‘Half of a Yellow Son‘ is the most effective illustration of his evolution as an artist but – not only a rapper. He’s feeling extra snug with taking up ‘risque’ beats with killer deliveries.

‘Half of a Yellow Son’ is constructed on a beat that deftly carries components of Hip-Hop and afrobeats. He additionally effortlessly delivers copious quantities of ‘wash’ in the direction of a faceless lady. Nonetheless, the most effective a part of this track is the graceful change between English, Pidgin and Yoruba with the soul of comedy. Vader has to observe the shadow of Falz with this fashion although.

Inglorious M.O.B has at all times been a proficient rapper, however his content material was at all times inaccessible. This time, on piano-based ballad-rap, M.O.B kills issues. Calling out his insecurities and with much less distracting undertones that we heard on, ‘Huge Sam,’ M.O.B accepts himself and fantastically closes the album with a query, “Do you like me now?”

However that is not the one magic on LOFN Three. With one thing just like how M.O.B closes the album, Shakez rides a Teckzilla beat with spectacular storytelling and penmanship in regards to the adverse results and doubts off a long-distance relationship. Such is the variety of subjects on LOFN Three that it seems like a diary for many-a-love-themed drama that Nigerians of their 20s face.

Even when the 2 songs basically handle the identical difficulty, one thing stands one track out from the opposite – nonetheless minimal. The wildest track on LOFN Three is ‘Pink Handed.‘ Let’s simply say it is the Yoruba demon anthem.

Chris Alnight was caught ‘Pink Handed‘ with one other lady with a “Entrance like a bonnet and a again like boot…”, however he blames the xanax he consumed and says, “How can I resist her with the xanny in my system?” Wow, the gods of Yoruba unfaithfulness should be elated. ‘Adiza’ follows with the soul of Palmwine music as KingPells appears like Tec of Present Dem Camp.

“Previous to cupid catching a felony, I put ice cream on that melanin..” exemplifies the lyrical brilliance of Pells‘ verse – take a bow, mate. The palmwine, people soul ushers in, ‘Konibaje’ and its provides of hypergamy.

Dancehall is the bottom for the tales of mutual attraction on, ‘Connection.’ My favorite a part of this track is when Jola Bello sings about her skipping a beat when she sees a faceless man. If solely Nigerian ladies might be this vocal about it. The identical dancehall base ushers in, ‘25/eight.’ The perfect a part of this manufacturing are these guitar chords.

Lyrically, it is wonderful how ‘25/eight‘ is personification that explains the ache brought on by ‘laborious to get’ as Caralee sings about her readiness. Dwin The Stoic rides the fusion of Native American music with Chinese language sounds from a Guzheng and a recorder. However then, in some way the beat evolves into afrobeats – that is wonderful. The track is titled, ‘Juju‘ and Dwin thinks ‘Juju’ is why he feels that strongly. Ha!

The identical Chinese language results of a recorder/flute punctuate ‘Fragile.’ The sentimental ballad paperwork the ideas of a person reminiscing a couple of relationship gone flawed. He then thinks out loud the desires of mending the damages of that relationship.

‘Olomi‘ comes with one other set of adulation, however I believe it ought to both have been minimize or be moved to trace 4.

Ultimate Ideas

LOFN Three is by far the most effective LOFN installment but. It is course higher and so is the execution. Extra importantly, the manufacturing is imaginative and expansive. Even when the style is acquainted, one thing – a string, a drum or no matter – stands out.

Like different LOFN installments, LOFN Three nonetheless seems like particular person collaborations from totally different artists that received made into an album, however then, it additionally seems like extra planning went into making LOFN Three. For one, the monitor itemizing is healthier – it aids topical and sonic development. That is one factor even ‘skilled’ A&Rs nonetheless cannot get proper.

Thus, the best victory on LOFN Three is element.

Scores: /10

• Zero-1.9: Flop

• 2.Zero-Three.9: Close to fall

• four.Zero-5.9: Common

• 6.Zero-7.9: Victory

• eight.Zero-10: Champion

Pulse Ranking: /10

Tracklist: 1.5/2

Content material and Themes: 1.eight/2

Manufacturing: 1.7/2

Enjoyability and Satisfaction: 1.5/2

Execution: 1.5/2

Complete:

eight.Zero/10: Champion