Lojay releases highly anticipated sophomore EP ‘Gangster Romantic’

Album Title: Gangster Romantic (EP)

Date of Release: March 3rd, 2023

Producers: (Track 1 – Moon Wills), (Track 2, 7 – P. PRIIME), (Track 3 – Lojay, The Elements), (Track 4 – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Herc Cut The Lights), (Track 5 – LOUDAAA), (Track 6 – MAGIC STICKS)

Length: 20 minute 59 seconds

Features: 2 – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small

Label: KORATORI RECORDINGS/ORCHARD

Details/Takeaway:On GANGSTER ROMANTIC, Lojay redefines himself on the 7– track follow-up to the well-received joint EP LV N ATTN with renowned producer Sarz. The artist known for smooth, emotive vocals and sharp lyricism dives deeper into his craft, mining the edges of his darker emotions and expressing personal vulnerability in several melodic confessions. The creative result is a moodier world, brimming with bouncy direction and effortless energy as he bares himself, leaving nothing behind.

Disclosing his intentions with the new EP, Lojay shares, “I didn’t make this project because I wanted to have hits out. I made this project, because I wanted people to listen to something they can connect with and hold onto for a long time. Of course, you want to do numbers and be on the charts, but that isn’t the point. All I ask is that you listen to the project from beginning to end as one full body of work. There is a reason why I placed all of the songs where they are. I want you to have that experience in unison and just take it in and connect.”

The EP opens with the stripped back, heartfelt ‘YAHWEH’, a passionate ode to a love interest, describing the emotions she inspires in him. The simple yet hard-hitting rhythm combines with dark chords to create an ambient yet striking Afrobeats ballad. Next comes P.PRIME produced ‘LEADER’, the up-beat, confident track with memorable toplines and immensely catchy hooks, which Lojay originally released last September. With airy vocal loops on top of modern, thumping drum patterns, the production provides the perfect musical bed for Lojay’s distinctive vocals.

This is followed by feel-good ‘MOTO’, the latest single he revealed from the project, produced by Lojay himself, with the production augmented by industry heavyweights Elementz and AOD. This track is a mellow, sober rhythm that showcases a softer side to the artist’s charismatic style, exploring heartbreak and unrequited love – themes that have resonated with Lojay’s fans, with the song accumulating over 3.5 million combined streams in just 3 weeks since release.

Track four is ‘CANADA’, an impressive Amapiano number produced by South African pioneers DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small, which Lojay revealed in November last year. The brisk, bouncy production is brought together by Lojay’s melodic vocal lines and group backing vocals, and results in a classy Amapiano club tune. Next up is ‘IYD’, a moving, soulful ballad that sees Lojay intimately reflect on his residing feelings for an ex partner, and his sincere need for closure. The simple yet fitting guitar melody provides the basis for the track as Lojay displays an impressive level of vulnerability in his lyrics and melodies.

The penultimate track ‘AVALABU’ is another fast paced, Amapiano inspired hit, with catchy vocals and diverse drum programming; the perfect way to finish off what is a diverse and easy-to-listen EP. The final track on the EP is ‘OVA’, an upbeat tune packed with melodic synth lines and syncopated drum rhythms. Produced by Nigerian hit producer P.PRIME, this track Lojay laments the end of a previous relationship, singing from the heart whilst showcasing his astonishing vocal range.

With an Australian Tour starting in March, the artist has already garnered wide international acclaim, not least because of his ever-growing Sarz collaboration ‘Monalia’, hitting over 226 million combined streams. Outstanding performances over the last year at the likes of DLT Malta last summer and Show Dem Camp’s Palm Wine Festival in London last October, have helped to further translate his impressive talents in energetic live settings.

‘GANGSTER ROMANTIC’ is the latest addition to an already impressive discography, with the body of work set to establish Lojay as one of the most compelling and unique artists within the Afrobeats scene right now.