CONSOL takes his listeners on a journey into his personal life stories on his sophomore EP.
CONSOL has moved with utmost precision since his early days as an artist, honing his skills and getting better on subsequent releases. What is more impressive is how he has carefully laid out his patterns to achieve success in his own terms not conforming to the demands and patterns of the industry or cowering to trends to rake in “hits”.
Although, the act will admit it has not been smooth, but with records such as “New Born Trouble“, “Globally” and a fanbase classic project in “Pizzy to Consol Vol.1” under his belt, it’s even become more obvious he has what it takes to make it to the top and share his art to the worldwide audience.
The stories of Consol’s “Love In Portharcourt” has been one that has been teased long before release with its earliest lead single “Jara” coming out in later 2023, while “Lova Lova” followed up the first version of “Indecisive” in 2024 as solid build up records to the project. The EP contains seven tracks running for over 18 minutes and explores the themes of life and love from the thematic expressions of the artist.
On opener “Love Lost“, Consol pulls a magnificent intro with the pre-recorded vocals on the heavy piano key led production that captures the depth of emotions he conveys in his words. Running for less than a minute, Consol moves quickly across various losses and struggles he’s witnessed in previous relationships and how he is seeking remedies just to ease the current pains he feels and yearning to go back to who he once was.
It bleeds to the next track where everyone is asking “Where is Consol?“. The sentiments on “Jara” are quite different as he defines it now in terms of navigating the struggles of hustling and achieving his dreams. Although, it takes a much more appreciative tone, acknowledging God’s blessing as a pivotal element in the success he has had so far. It’s a story of his rise from the most demanding situations to living his music dreams.
“Industry Wars” is an introspective look and take on the current comparisons of talents in the industry, citing the need to embrace oneness towards the goal of pushing Afrobeats. “Dem ah try to compare me to Joeboy, tell me say Oxlade better pass me, them say I no fit do like Fireboy“. It’s a quick take and speaks to the gatekeepers calling for peace in the industry.
“Indecisive II” speaks on a fluctuating relationship that has somehow descended into a situationship with his muse, ably played out by Cindyy the featured artist. ” indecisive, my baby girl too indecisive, today she wants me, but tomorrow she no dey love me” Consol sings with razor sharp precision and confidence in that he executes the theme quite well and makes it easy for Cindyy to flow along with him on the record.
The shakers on “Lova Lova” and production makes it an instant favorite. It is a record tailor made for the dance floors. Here, Consol subtly weaves a tale of obsession in love with his muse into groovy productions that are common to get listeners moving to the beat and losing the real theme of the record in real time unless carefully dissecting it.
“I’m Available” is an assurance that he will always be by her side at any time she requests for it, simply put, a message that he’s never too far from her. It’s a signal of commitment to be ready to do all her bidding and spend life with her. “Too Nma Nma (too fine)” follows in line as he praises her beauty, recognizing her uniqueness and how attractive he finds her to be. The rolls and percussion imitate a traditional one and give it a new feeling.
On “Love From Portharcourt“, Consol displays the wide range of his artistic maturity since his early days. Opting for a carefully selected and amazing choice of production, he executes the themes and concept quite well with performances that raises the ceilings and primes his audience for his debut album.
While he is not in any way experimenting here, he feels at home and his strengths are quite obvious on each record bringing it all into one umbrella that actually explains the title “Love From Portharcourt“. Whether he’s telling stories of a lost love, life struggles, calling for peace in the industry or exploring various facets of love, he tells it from a perspective of love that resonates the relevance of the project’s title in explaining its themes.
CONSOL Drops New EP “Love From Port Harcourt.”
