Jaywillz makes it four over four on new EP.
In 2020, when Jaywillz dropped the first of his quartet of EPs ‘P.U.N ( Please Underrate Nobody)‘, he was roaming the underground scene with much talent and superstar capabilities at his disposal. It took a phenomenal search through the underground scene by Afrobeats rap veteran, Olamide to bring him into the spotlight with a spot on his 2021 release ‘UY Scuti‘. When opportunities like that presents itself, you need to grab it by the scruff of the neck, Jaywillz knew that and took his opportunity well with a stellar hook and chorus on delivery on “Jailer“.
Fortunately, the solid co-sign was always going to make the public eye look towards him and thankfully, at the time, he had two solid EPs for the public to fall back on and a ticking time bomb summer-time hit in ‘Medicine‘, which later rocked waves all over the continent that year. He added the third EP some months later, signifying an artist with an incredible work rate and yearning to be heard and taken very serious.
On his fourth project, titled ‘Pretty Inside‘, Jaywillz explores the theme of love all over the 6-track EP, with a deft blend off traditional rhythms into his RnB-leaning Afropop sonic soundscape.
‘Good Life‘ opens the tape. An Amapiano inspired cut with a punching and reverberating bass log drum element. Jaywillz has few Amapiano tracks in his discography, but the little he possesses, they are a wonderful work of art with much intentionality to achieve perfection. He actually did achieve that once again on Good Life combining his wonderful pen work with his ability to pick out good pockets of space on beats and flow seamlessly. The delivery is not forced and is certainly one of the best you have heard from him. Play this on a sound system and get ready to dance despite it’s a somewhat RnB leaning tone.
What do I expect from a track titled ‘Oceans‘ created by Jaywillz ? I expect a soothing mid tempo RnB/Pop fusion track, and it did not disappoint. To be honest, we are not picking up from exactly where we stopped, but what makes this track a memorable one is Jaywillz’ brilliance in execution. It will easily slot into one of his deep cuts as an artist, but it really is an enjoyable song.
‘Colours‘ switches back to the artist’s usual mid tempo and groovy pop sonic. The transition is not slick and it could have been better placed in another position in the project. Nonetheless, Colours is exactly what we term as Jaywillz signature track; a melodious love song with minimalistic production choice that easily sticks with listeners.
On ‘Lobatan‘, the idea and style is pretty much like Colours. Jaywillz ability to stick to his formula and create refreshing sounds is what makes this track stand out. Although, it is somewhat shorn on lyrical edge which is not Jaywillz-like, however, its strengths lies in its dance-inducing element.
When we get to ‘Fine‘, the artist brings into play everything that was highlighted to stand out on the previous tracks. In what is the peak of the tape, this track just about solidifies Jaywillz’s ability to serve ready-made bops that listeners can’t get enough off.
‘Calvary‘ closes the project and it is also built on the Amapiano soundscape. On this track, Jaywillz lays bare his vulnerability as he narrates his journey to this point and acknowledges all the help he has received and duly appreciates it along the line.
In what is his fourth project in as many years, Jaywillz has really learned a lot from the reactions to his previous tapes and it is really obvious that he keeps refreshing and working on what would suit him perfectly. ‘Pretty Inside‘ is much indicator that he is indeed not far from the discovery – if he is not there already. On ‘Pretty Inside‘, Jaywillz excels so much with his usual finesse and his delivery oozed so much assuredness of an artist who is well aware of the path he needs to follow to success.
For what it is worth, ‘Pretty Inside‘ is a solid addition to an already stacked discography and it does not lose his place. Jaywillz definitely had the listeners in mind and he creates an sonic atmosphere that will blend in with Nigerian audiences; which is his first priority. Improvement and creating classic pieces is what matters and Jaywillz is on the good side of both metrics on this project.
Listen to Pretty Please by Jaywillz.
