“On Olori ( The EP), Logos is searching through the variant of Pop sound that are scattered all over the country’s mainstream soundscape and trying to find a home in the most suitable environment for himself“
When we first heard “Picasso” on our speakers – the first attempt of Logos Olori’s introduction to limelight as it was the first time many listeners caught a sniff of his artistry – there was so much expectations for the new act who has just been signed to Davido’s DMW artist roster and unleashed on the Afrobeats’ legend latest project “Timeless“. He showed promising signs on that outing providing a reasonable outlet to help create a record that leaned towards RnB than the lead artist’s preferred Pop driven sound.
Whether Davido was leaning towards his direction or it was just to serve as a breathe of fresh air on a project inspired largely by elements of Amapiano, those thoughts were displaced and also given clarity when he released his debut single “Jaye Lo” under the label in middle of 2023. “Jaye Lo“, in its components, treads the path of an Afro-Pop soundscape record with its eye on capturing the mainstream by using catchy and groovy drums coupled with the required songwriting to thrill listeners. However, that was not enough to make a statement of his intent or provide a marker on his sonic flavours.
On his debut project, Logos Olori packs more of this element and embraces the essence of what has typified his earlier releases. On “Olori (The EP)“, Logos is searching through the variant of Pop sound that are scattered all over the country’s mainstream soundscape and trying to find a home in the most suitable environment for himself. In a bid to experiment and test waters correctly, it results in Logos opening himself up to be malleable and be fluid in his approach.
“Olori” opens up the project and on the eponymous title track, smooth guitars permeates and colors the stripped back percussions leaving for an Afro RnB-esque arrangement pattern. The intention is clear on this with Logos alternating between airing his innermost romantic desires and praises of his personality. The guitars gives the track and interesting edge creating an easy entry into the sonic journey Logos seems to be spearheading and handling well so far.
Following the pattern most Nigerian projects by inserting its potential hit at track two, or just any song that is more groovy than its predecessor and get things going smoothly, “Easy On Me” truly slots in so well with its fast paced and bouncy Konto elements. Logos does well to stamp his authority over the delectable multi layered production, while also easing his label boss into the track just as it was on “Picasso“, hinting at the unmatched synergy he has created with his boss.
[LISTEN]: OLORI EP BY LOGOS OLORI.
“Push It” notches the tempo up again. On the log drum driven track, Ragee does more than enough to make it easy for Logos with a production works which will go down as the best on the project. Logos doesn’t disappoint with his delivery and songwriting by opting for a much simplistic approach as often required on an EDM inspired record. With more marketing effort, Logos has a mainstream and viral record on his hands.
When Magic Sticks joins Ragee behind the boards on “My Darling“, Logos enters into the most vulnerable we have found him on the project. “I’ve been searching for this love I found loving you, this heart was meant for two and I share my heart with you” he sings with so much intent and zeal. He goes on to plead to his lover “no go leave me never, oh baby no go leave me never“. The varied delivery of the hook and chorus points to his wide array of skill sets which he uses to his own advantage. Also, its not surprising that the addition of background crowded vocals which elevates the track coincides with the presence of Magic Sticks, an element he is well renowned for while working with Afrobeats “landlord” Asake.
“Apapa” inquires the use of heavy Amapiano drums once again. The feels here is different as it doesn’t swim into the fast paced terrain but remains upbeat and winds up slowly. Logos matches the change here with a street inflected delivery which was the best he could do considering his strengths. Logos has been outstanding thus far and its songs like these that hold down and lay markers of his dynamism.
[LISTEN]: OLORI EP BY LOGOS OLORI.
Obviously, a Musa Keys feature indicates an Amapiano track, and rightly so it does. While the core element of Amapiano has been used on most tracks on the project, it is on “Hmm Hmm” that the main tenets of the sub genre takes center stage bearing all the essential hallmarks required. Musa Keys however takes the grip of this one with an assured and smooth delivery on a familiar terrain for him. Definitely, not Logos’ best outing, but he manages to deliver a good performance.
“Murder” closes the project with Logos finding his most relaxed self and does something entirely different. This track carries the acclaimed elements which propelled his appearance on “Picasso” and its so refreshing to know he still got the ability to thrill listeners with an impeccable performance expected from a seasoned artist.
Debut projects are more of an avenue to make a statement and give clarity on your artistry. On “Olori EP“, Logos was able to meet with the former requirements as he weaved together variants of Pop sounds inherent in our soundscape. While this is much of an experiment – something which could have been done via few more singles – Logos truly has not able to create his identity which sees him caught between his intended sound as an artist and mainstream acceptability.
However, the sheer brilliance in recording music that surely resonates needs to be praised. He has the ability to make great records that requires lots of efforts even from artists in the upper chain. Songs like “Apapa“, “Push It” and “My Darling” should normally attract listeners in this demography when pushed through the appropriate channels. More than half of the song on the project have the ability to blow up anytime, and this is in fact its most appreciable quality.
Overall, the level of work put in to experiment and achieve an almost perfection score on each track is laudable. It’s a smooth offering from the artist. Next steps are important and this will set him up rightly for what is to come. He has laid a solid foundation for himself here, the results will make up for where his artistic journey heads next.
– This review is written by Adebayo Boluwatife, an Album Talks writer. ( Twitter: @BIG_BOLUWATIFE).
[LISTEN]: OLORI EP BY LOGOS OLORI.
