Artiste – Adekunle Gold
Album – Gold
Producers – Seyikeyz, Oscar, Pheelz, B Banks, Sleekamo, Masterkraft
Record Label – YBNL (2016)
Duration – 55 Minutes
Amidst mild anticipation, Adekunle Gold, I want to believe
tentatively if not meekly, released his debut album, the reason for this
move, I am yet to understand. Like every fan, I waited for a friend to
get the album[in this case, My company buying off itunes] then proceeded
to taking a copious dip into, as he called it, his soul.
Maybe its just me, but Adekunle’s debut, sounds a tad bit
claustrophobic, however, his ability to tweak sounds on some songs, gave
rise to a few welcoming moments. I have been a huge fan of Adekunle
Gold, a long time now, as he single handledly became the go to guy for
therapeutic sessions. Since his quiet yet powerful entry into the music
industry, golden boy, successfully created inexpensive therapeutic
session for souls that needed it- this he did by creating sounds,
immensely personal, memorable and appealing to the ear. His effortless
ability in creating sing along sounds,with lyrics drawn out of
his innermost thoughts and fears, purging our souls of all forms of
vulnerability in the process before gradually yet powerfully helping us
come to terms with our true emotions, can only be described as a genius
move.
However, I had some issues with his debut album, which according to
him, he bared his soul on. For an artiste, who has proven more than
twice that he knows how to connect to anyone’s soul, he did not entirely
come through on this album, as in my opinion, it lacked the depth, I
was promised. Now, I am not saying he has to slay with his vocals,
hitting every note with a power so deep it takes the air out of your
lungs – leave that immortal power to Timi Dakolo, nonetheless,I expected
him to provide deeper punches on those kind of songs, hell, the major
reason he is so damn irresistible to millions is his ability to create
sounds so truthful and relatable with on tracks.
Providing a poignant introspection into his soul with his debut,
straddling between sounds eventually make old school sound new school,
he steered in a new stage of urban highlife and we could only be
appreciative. However, save for a few good tracks on this album, the
album title, cover, pathetically weak lyrics, mixing and mastery of the
album, it appeared Golden boy, was on a reckless ride of self sabotage.
GOLD
In just 1 min 18, he redefined boredom with an over-milked
life-story. Love his vocals here, though it sounded like he is still
trying to come to terms that he might be famous after all. I was a bit
taken aback when he thought it would be cool to change vocal range with
the word brave, came off more like a whimper. Piano keys on this track
though, amazing.
MY LIFE
A sprightly My Life, comes into play, placing us all in an immediate
dancing mood [a bit of salsa, bata, the two step and even dabbing].
Carefully made up of a generous scoop of afrobeat and jazz trumpet,
alongside weirdly comforting vocal exclamations to further buttress his
sumptuous stance as a golden boy, this track should be on replay for a
long time. Again, his fear of hearing his own voice, super evident on
this track.
BEAUTIFUL NIGHT
Poor attempt at trying to merge old school with new school, with the
poor portrayal of intimacy and love. From the accent to the v… why do I
even try.
ORENTE
Stale, but there is a reason we all listened for a while.
NURSE ALABERE
With his Chest register, sometimes boasting of melismatic control and
an altogether different but cozy range, Nurse Alabere, is the perfect
example of ‘a loved one’s hug’. The gangan, not too obvious flut,e and
any other ingredient used in concocting this medicinal track, are a
welcoming additional glaze to an already glazed dessert. The sincerity
employed on every note voiced… blown away.
FRIEND ZONE
For years, guys have bemoaned this issue in any relationship. Some
have even gone on to wax records on this issue, while some settled for
licking their wounds while another man sweeps their soul mate of her
feet. Back to Golden boy, he brought in his comical alter ego as he
tackled this subject with the help of afrobeat entwined in high life
sound. Adekunle Gold, “
we nor relate“,
na only me my mama born,” “
I nor be your friend, ma lo friend zone me o.’
PARADISE
I sort off lost interest here, majorly due to the corny lyrics. This song had no business whatsoever, being on the album.
NO FORGET FT. SIMI
Adesperate PR attempt at trying to recreate a
60’s love story on this track and probably theirs.From the very obvious lazy lyrics,
Simi’s terrible impression of Falz, her penchant for hiding behind
beats, her squeaky vocals, Adekunle Gold’s evident self esteem issues
[being on a
highly anticipated duet with supposed bae] off
key notes, made this track feel like a local Ekiti man listening to
opera music for the first time. Also it sounded more like an extended or
pre-edited version of Simi’s ‘Love Don’t Care’.
PICK-UP
We all know how this song started and ended, so… moving on…
WORK
Decent track, love the witty yet serious undertone of this track. A
bit tiring though, felt like a merry go round kind of track, and not
the fun filled one. However, I feel this track, is one of those he
probably contemplated adding to the tracklist as his hard WORK on this
track, is in no way evident.
TEMPTATIONS
Love the soft embracing beat laid on this track. Basically a track
that talks about a girl trying to seduce a guy into starting a
relationship with her, even as the said man is a friend to her own bae.
Sort of a reversed version of Friend Zone. Love the smooth and melodious
beat. I would have loved Golden Boy’s vocals a bit stronger on this
kind of song, since he is claiming he can’t be tempted and will remain
loyal. Great progressive story line though.
ARIWO KO
Lovely Bollywood inspired track. Beautiful mandolin sound oozing with
all shades of generous sexiness and the colorful sounds of perhaps
the udukkai, mixed perfectly with sweet and savory instrument employed
for this amazingly soothing track, flipped every freaking page of an
Indian movie delivering a promise of endless coital session, ending in
an earth shattering peak.
FIGHT FOR YOU
The topic already depicts what the track is all about. From the
perfect synchronizing of beats, to the theme, down to the lazy lyrics,
beautiful piece, all in all.
READY
Refer to Pickup.
SWEET ME
In my head; Masterkraft produced, Olamide wrote the song. Beautiful
high life piece. I could easily do without this track too, but again…
not so shabby.
SADE
The song that started the entire soul searching journey!
Y es, I expected more from Adekunle’s debut, but again, you get what
you get right? His debut flounders under too many shallow and cheesy
rail, which at some point made it a herculean task to get through the
first few seconds of some tracks. Save for a few brilliant tracks,
amazing production and average mixing and mastery of the album, golden
boy deserves a light pat on the back for at least not keeping us for
waiting for years before dropping a debut and still managing to
come through on a few tracks. Do I think you should cop this album?
Absolutely yes, he did his job the best way he knew how to.
Rating – 3/5
