The first quarter of the year has come and gone already and we’ve already gotten a handful of projects that have made really strong impressions, that we believe are going to remain huge talking points and even album highlights moments at the end of the year. In comparison to last year, 2023 has been a bit of a drag considering how fast the previous year took off with big moments in the mainstream but that’s not a testament of underwhelming music in 2023, so far. Whilst there might have indeed been mediocre releases, 2023 was always going to start out slow after the manic nature of last year.
Without further ado, let’s delve into the best projects that have graced our ears this year, so far in no direct order.
1. GANGSTER ROMANTIC – Lojay
Not a lot of mainstream Afrobeats artists approach the art of album making with the sort of artistic vision and thematic cohesion that Lojay does, and the fact that he executes with such an intentional curative vision on an EP nonetheless, makes it all the more impressive. Most artists use their debut EP’s to introduce their sound and prominent sonic influences, whilst also showcasing their range—but Lojay ensures Gangster Romantic feels like an album experience.
And it’s not just about the cohesive experience, the music is also really good. Impressive songwriting, emotive soundscapes, treacherous sexual adventures and soulful melodies—it is undoubtedly one of the best projects from a mainstream artist this year, so far. Although, it might be yet to generate a huge moment in the form of a hit song but it has charted consistently high since release, amidst competition of projects from industry heavyweights.
2. Pheelz Good – Pheelz
Veteran producer turned pop artist, Pheelz released his sophomore EP in February, roughly a year after his hit record and viral sensation, ‘Finesse‘ featuring BNXN took the world by storm and went on to become one of the more popular AfroPop records globally, amassing over a hundred million streams on Spotify. On the Davido-assisted ‘Electricity‘ he garnered even more momentum for himself and perhaps solidified his status as a new generation pop act.
Unlike Lojay’s Gangster Romantic, his EP is the typical showcase of varying sonic sounds but to great efficacy and the right balance. Stand By You and Pheelz Like Summer are emotive Afro-R&B records that would have you swooning. Balling and Pablo Escobar are braggadocious records that has the artist in his self-exaltation bag, whilst Emi Laye Mi and Ewele are pop records with catchy hooks and resonant themes that are tailor made for the dance floors.
3. Continental Playlist – King Perryy
In the past few years, Afrobeats has been in a major crossover moment that had its biggest stars and budding acts alike experimenting with varying soundscapes and sonic influences across the globe in a bid to fuse the local sound and export it even further. This has caused a rise in cross cultural moments in African music as artists from various continents and backgrounds collaborate to find brew the perfect record.
Not many fusions have experienced success like the Dancehall template and somewhere in the intersection of Afroswing and Afrobeats, King Perryy has made a name for himself as a reliable and able musician in that soundscape. His latest EP, Continental Playlist is a further exploration into Dancehall, Bashment and Afro-Swing fusions and the way he effortlessly blurs the lines between these genres is proof of his musical prowess.
4. At Night, You Flood My Thoughts – Aisosa & UndieJulius
This Afro-Soul EP is one of the more cohesive EP’s out this year that aims for a grand album experience with tight sonic cohesion, thematic progression and even seamless transitions. It’s so well curated that the whole thing feels like a really long song, as opposed to the 4-track project it is. Matter of fact, it’s so cohesive almost to the the point of being monotonous but it’s succinct in length, so it never goes on for so long that it feels tiring or boring.
Fans of Wurld and Tay Iwar would enjoy this project thoroughly. It has the same level of soul and confessional, vulnerable writing and romantic declarations that makes it great mood, somber music and at the same time isn’t too intense on the ears or too nuanced with its topics, that it can’t pass as great background music also. It’s definitely worth checking out.
5. Timeless – Davido
Arguably the most anticipated Afrobeats album of the past few years, Davido’s fourth studio album has been on an onslaught of streaming records demolition since its release some weeks back. It has also been met with good reception from fans and even detractors alike. And for good reason too, the album is definitely OBO’s most sonically accomplished project yet.
On previous albums, there was a lack of cohesive intent from Davido and it usually resulted in a disjointed body of work with differing sonic ingredients and zero unifying elements. On Timeless, it’s obvious Davido learnt from his mistakes and to his best abilities, curates a rewarding album experience. A handful of songs off the project e.g. Unavailable, Feel, No Competition etc have generated huge traction and seem to be on their way to becoming hit records. As is with the case of this album though, only time will tell if it would indeed become a classic. Currently though, it seems to be treading the path to that destination.
–This article is written by T.J. Martins, an Album Talks writer.
