Kenya: Bien releases debut album Alusa Why Are You Topless?

The project, whose singles include ‘Ma Cherie’, ‘My Baby’ featuring Arya Starr and ‘Too Easy’ featuring DJ Edu, is available for streaming and download on major streaming platforms.

With Alusa Why Are You Topless?, Bien offers his fans a taste of what is to come as he officially carves a solo career path after his band Sauti Sol recently called time on its 18-year journey.

Having solidified his status as award-winning songwriter and celebrated vocalist, Bien continues in the same vein on the new album that features other inspiring collaborations with the likes of Ms Banks (UK) and Tay Iwar (Nigeria). Sammy Soso, one of the leading Afrobeats’ beatmakers, is the album’s executive producer.

Speaking about the record, Bien said: “The album is called Alusa Why Are You Topless [because] Alusa is my name, and the ‘why are you topless’ part represents my new season being audacious – new beginnings and freedom. It also represents discipline. That’s my mantra for this next season in my life. I love comic relief, so that’s how I wanted to express this journey. I am so grateful for everyone who was part of this project, and the sleepless nights we all shared to make this project a success.”

Some of the album’s other standout tracks include ‘True Love’, a song that is just as beautiful with its soft production. The songwriting is powerful, honest and moving, with hints of African choral sounds mixed with a modern and alluring Afro-acoustic vibe.

The album also features some incredible uptempo numbers such as ‘Lost and Found’, a dance forward, rhythmic song, with hints of a log drum throughout the track. The song speaks about the quest for love and the experience of not just losing it, but also clinging to a failing relationship. The production is fun and summery and inspires the listener to dance.

With Sauti Sol splitting, Alusa Why Are You Topless? serves as an opportunity for Bien to take the deep dive into the unknown, something that may see him emerge on the side as the first major international breakout star from Kenya.