Asake’s Work of Art album deepens his signature sound

21 Jun 2023 - 17:45

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

In just two albums, Nigerian singer Asake has consolidated himself as a reincarnation of ancestral throbbings and pop innovation. This revival stems mainly from a distinctive refurbishment of multiple genres, enriched by evocative narration and an emotive rap-sing approach.

Asake.

Just as his explosive debut Mr Money With the Vibe proved to be a game-changer last year, the same holds true for its successor – the 14-track Work of Art, published on YBNL Nation/Empire.

The man, drawing from his highest calibre, immerses himself in a melodic exploration that invokes the essence of his homeland, as he examines themes of faith and spirituality, love, celebrity and financial liberation.

Typically, Asake’s palette has combined West African folk elements such as Fuji and highlife with contemporary inclinations like Afrobeats, amapiano and hip hop.

By returning to his allegiances, Asake skilfully stays clear of the overused and formulaic pop that saturates our airwaves. He also sticks with the same muse batch, tapping Magicsticks (co-conspirator of Asake’s last LP and a pivot in his distinct sound) for production duties. The result is the manifestation of regimental elegance, highlighted through the customary inclusion of delicate string and wind instruments, ethereal vocals, and the prominent reintroduction of rhythmic log drum patterns. Blaisebeatz, P.Priime and Anoop D'Souza get additional production credits.

Like his previous work, Asake’s new collection recounts how its author has been left with many crosses to bear. He digs deep, his rumination gleaming through in the magnetic meditations of songs like the album’s opener ‘Olorun’ and closing track ‘Yoga’, while ‘Sunshine’ and ‘I Believe’ exude unshaken confidence.

We also hear a triumphant groove of ‘What’s Up My G’, and the majestic highlife rooted in ‘Lonely at the Top’, which encourages wholeheartedly pursuing one’s goals. ‘Wetin I love, I go do am with all my heart oh,” Asake proclaims in the song’s chorus.

As with Mr Money, Work of Art boasts a slim guest list, to say the least, with YBNL Nation boss Olamide marking the only guest appearance on the album, on the track ‘Amapiano’.

Asake is in a great place creatively, one that upholds a mechanism of consistent output and quality. He can afford a litany of happy adjectives, and that way liken himself to the American art genius Jean-Michel Basquiat. After all, his wildest private visions have seen the light of day. It’s no surprise that he appears to have been smitten by a renewed, ravenous appetite for life, loving diligently and pursuing passion passionately.