On The Second Half Of His Debut Album, TML Vibez Digs Deep And Makes Soothing Soulful Music.
The dawn of the new decade came with the resurgence of street-pop music championed by mainstream trailblazers like Asake and Seyi Vibez who inspired a new wave of Afrobeats fusion that wore its indigenous roots on its sleeves. Street-Pop though is more than a genre of music and is almost like a culture, like Hip Hop or Afrobeats itself.
Asides from housing the new generation of local lingual wielding talents, it’s also a celebration of heritage, culture and wealth through the lens of a hustler who conquered all odds stacked against them. Amongst this demographic of newly minted popstars, TML Vibez has emerged as one of the most exciting talents who has garnered the most industry co-sign amongst his peers and the brilliance of this album reminds us why.
TML isn’t ashamed of humble beginnings on the streets and he alludes to that on Eyes On Me, establishing the fact that it’s his upbringing that has forged him into the superstar he is today that could easily disregard detractors and bear the weight of fame. Talking drums and a thundering eulogy closes out the song and grounds the cultural tone of the music. TML remains candid on Delilah, confessing his feelings and laying it all bare to his love interest how much she means to him.
The midtempo beat has a steady but rapid pulse that imitates the frantic heart rate of a man in love. And it makes so much sense when the somber piano notes of Hello kicks in, accompanied with even more pressing declarations of love that highlights TML’s resolution to do anything for his woman. Victony’s cameo is nice and while he’s not as vulnerable as TML on the record, an African man pledging his money and resources to his woman is the ultimate insignia of love.
TML Vibez dips his feet into Afro-Drill on Poku and indulges in trademark street-pop musings on wealth aspirations and the spoils of conquering past struggles. The hook here is so brilliant due to TML’s mastery of Yoruba and Pidgin rhythm amalgamation, that only street pop veterans are known for. Diamond or Gold features elaborate drum rolls and celebratory remarks that distills TML’s relentless spirit and perseverance in the quest of success. And he may indeed be street smart but he’s still a Gentleman with class that avoids extraneous situations that compromise his composure.
Fellow Street Pop budding acts Ayo Maff and Shoday are recruited on Shuperu, an uptempo song with a bounce tailored meticulously for the crisscrossing sequence of the legwork dance. Ayo and Shoday are brief in their verses but provide enough catchy variance that justify their presence and TML remains the unifying theme tying all these elements together. SHON PE advises listeners to be money wise and TML recites cautionary tales in a bid to implore people to live their lives and not squander their existence all on work.
TML sheds the robe of the wise sage on CnF and ramps up the heat. He doesn’t mince words and makes it pixel clear he wants his lover’s body on him and asserts that he’s going to make it worth her while. The electric guitar riff that closes out the song and segues in Mashé captures the intensity and angst of TML’ s burning desire. While the former had a romantic gaze to it, Mashé is more treacherous and hedonistic in its approach. Frequent collaborator Lasmid returns on the earnest and wholesome Allow Me.
TML is back in his loverboy bag, fighting for his right to spoil his woman. The way his vocals here mields with Lasmid’s makes for true soulful music that will surely tug at heartstrings. Allow Me isn’t big on narrative and it doesn’t need to because the magic here is in the vocals. Close To You dials things up a notch into ratchet street banger but TML retains the intimacy of the record and sings through the pulsating jazz horns about how he’ll follow his love interest to the ends of the heart.
Eko documents the realities of live on the fast lane in the commercial hub and party capital of the country. We’re back in grime territory and Blaqbonez backs TML up with cheeky, athletic flows that paints vivid images of him bending over promiscous women and blowing money on sinful vanities. This song might not have mainstream potential like some others on this LP but it’s easily one of the best songs on it.
Sexy Mama sticks out like a sore thumb on this LP because of it being filler and not doing anything uniquely interesting and it’s certainly not helped by an unspired, formulaic Mavo verse. Burst My Head caves into the dominant Amapiano fusion mainstream craze that the album could have definitely done without. Radio closes out the LP on the solemn note it kicked off, with TML providing everlasting assurance to his lover that he’ll always stand by her as long as she remains faithful.
TML Vibez’s A Street Kid’s Diary (Disk 2) is a compelling dive into the young artist’s psyche that highlights his hopeful romantic traits and an undying thirst for success that can be traced to his roots. It’s an album rife with colorful sentiments and soulful music that makes it great for the loud celebrations and quiet moments also. TML is simply at the peak of his powers and not many can measure up to him on his day.
Final Verdict:
Sonic Cohesion: 1.5/2
Expansive Production: 1.4/2
Songwriting: 1.6/2
Delivery: 1.6/2
Track Sequencing: 1.5/2
Total: 7.6/10
