On 'The Cornerstone,' Darkovibes returns with dense music and gusto [Album Review]

However when he launched his debut album, Kpalongo earlier within the 12 months, feelings have been blended – particularly for listeners outdoors of his house nation of Ghana. Just some months later, he returns with one other album – or EP – titled The Cornerstone.

Upon listening to ‘The Cornerstone,’ one can be forgiven for asking the plain query; why did he not simply launch this as his first mission of 2020? They are saying lightning doesn’t strike twice however on this case, lightning struck like 4 instances already. ‘The Cornerstone’ is good, vibrant, vibrant, spectacular and experiential.

When the album dropped, the artist mentioned, “The Cornerstone is one for my followers and is an attestation to my greatness, it’s religion in motion. Once I take a look at the place I got here from and the way far I’ve come, I simply know I’m destined for excellent issues.”

In all honesty, it reveals within the music. He’s each free and cocky, he’s hungry and assured. He’s raring to go, but cocky sufficient to be methodical in numerous expression. The music seems like a product of what the world has seen in 2020. Its feelings are measured in doses and by what it conveys.

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That is DarkoVibes being himself – experimenting and excelling on quite a lot of genres. If he reminds one in every of an artist who might additionally produce this effortlessly, it’s Burna Boy – however possibly to a lesser extent. The Ghanaian famous person turns into completely different individuals as he attacked the completely different genres on this album.

First off, ‘Strap’ appears like Roddy Ricch’s ‘Tip Toe’ that includes A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. On the beat, DarkoVibes appears like Beenie Man in mutual physique domination with a singing French Montana. ‘The Cornerstone’ is so good that what DarkoVibes is saying or not saying doesn’t matter.

Nonetheless, ‘Strap’ is a warning to detractors to not take Darko’s gentility for stupidity – phrase to Wande Coal. ‘Pree We’ sounds just like the product of intense hashish consumption – that looks as if the one purpose a human being can repeat “Pree we” that intensely and that repeatedly.

Nonetheless, the track is a touch upon how DarkoVibes is admired for his life-style by supposed rivals. ‘Shut To You’ additionally appears like one thing Roddy Ricch would respect – it has DaBaby-esque drums although. Right here, DarkoVibes is a loverboy who makes use of RJZ to voice, “Let me be yours, near you…”

The loverboy moments didn’t final. On ‘Issues’ that includes Sarkodie, DarkoVibes admits to ingesting and smoking. He’s additionally ‘about city’ as admires a good friend of his girlfriend’s. Whereas that final sentence sounds wild on paper, the hook and Sarkodie’s verse put issues in perspective.

The track sees DarkoVibes lament the real-life issues because it impacts him and his relationships – particularly along with his mother. Sarkodie does admit he can’t do with out the music and the celebrity although. DarkoVibes then appreciates and extols his mom.

‘Sierra Leone’ is likely to be the most effective track on this EP. Its beat fuses Various with pop, Lure and Trippy instrumentation. That includes a slowed down 80’s disco organ taking part in in a staccato loop, the producer infuses the beat with a bass legato from the bridge to the hook. The track then turns into healthful and polished from there on.

It’s simply so good and this La Meme Gang member tears via this beat scary auto-tune backed ease as he laments about love. He desires to “Hug it out and speak it out…” however the girl doesn’t appear .

‘Misplaced Ones’ would have made loads of sense as a ultimate monitor on this EP although. The Lure track with Drill results sees DarkoVibes lament the absence of a selected girl. The bass on that beat although…

‘Hen Swing’ is a Lure track which discusses a handful of hedonistic subjects whereas ‘Loopy Individuals’ comes again to Ghanaian Afro-pop with the soul of lamba.

Welcome again, DarkoVibes. You by no means left, however welcome again. That is the album…

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 Score: /10

7.eight – Victory