Love, Damini, is a coherent body of work, a letter perfectly depicting tales of love, loss, struggle, and growth. A conglomeration of emotional rollercoasters.
This is a track-by-track review of the work of art.
The much anticipated new album from Burna Boy, “Love, Damini,” is out now! The Grammy-award-winning artist announced the release of his new album as well as the music video for “For My Hand” featuring Ed Sheeran today. There will also be album signings to celebrate the new album, “Love, Damini”. Burna Boy will be meeting fans and signing copies of the album at HMV, Westfield (8th, July), and Birmingham (9th, July). The album has been the talk of social media since its release. This new project, according to Burna Boy, embodies a rollercoaster of emotions he wishes to share with his audience. Characterized by personal struggles, politics, awakened consciousness, self-awareness, lustful desires, love, affection, and “breakfast”.
LOVE, DAMINI- TRACKS, FEATURES AND REACTIONS
The first track, “Glory,” features the sensational South African male choral group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The choral rendition kicks off the album. There’s a dreamy Disney feel to it, alongside the beautiful harmony of various instruments. On this track, Burna Boy shares a bit of his story, enunciating part of his struggles. Track two, “Science” comes up just like the church choir breaks into the Praise session from an intense worship session. With a similar flow to “Gbona”, Burna takes us straight into dancing mode.
“Them dey pray make I fall and stagger so I move in cloak and dagger”
Burna Boy
“Cloak and Dagger” is one of my most anticipated songs on the album for obvious reasons—J Hus. At the time of writing this, it is trending on Twitter. Everyone is surprised as to how Burna Boy managed to bring out the big papa, military J Hus from his hiding place. And oh boy! What is this fire J Hus delivers in a minute?
Is it me, or does “Kilometre” sound fresh again? One’s best guess would be that it is refined to fit the general sound quality of the album. Its production quality seems much better than on the album. “Jagele”, on the other hand, is more of a gentle rhythmic bop. One that you would imagine dancing to with your partner under neon lights at a local bar, while onlookers cheer you up.
“Whiskey “ brings the average Nigerian back to the realities of their everyday lives. He uses his hometown, Port-Harcourt, as his plot. Burna passes a message with regards to the recent black soot pollution in the city. He speaks on the health hazards the residents are exposed to, as well as its effects on their properties. Also, not leaving out the issues of unemployment and the struggles of an average Nigerian, he admonishes us to keep up our hope.
“E don cast, last last…” Did I just catch you echoing “na everybody go chop breakfast”? Some say this is the summer song of the year. Released as a single before the full album dropped, this song addresses heartbreak and disappointment. Well, for Nigerians, it is the breakfast anthem of the year. Best served cold as the weather, Breakfast here doesn’t mean food. It is the Nigerian expression for heartbreak or a disappointing experience. Burna shares his need for “Igbo” (cannabis) and “shayo” (alcohol) after he says goodbye to the love of his life. Many people in the diaspora are finding it hard to understand the language on this track, but it is both ear-pleasing and triggering for those who can relate to it. However, It can be likened to an ulcer patient taking alcohol and then antacids after. A good combo, if you ask me.
Kvng Vinci comes through with the production of “Different Size” with the Amapiano-style Squid Game sample on the beat. Someone needs to deliver Victony from the shackles of the feminine glutes. Just like he delivered on “All Power” on his EP earlier this year, Victony ceases this fresh opportunity to revere the beautiful work of nature that is embodied in the behind of a woman. He posits that “Bum bum dey different size”, which in my opinion, is a valid point. This is the only track on the album that officially features a Nigerian artist.
Shoutout to King Vinci for this beat, I think it’s a masterpiece.
With a potential to become a popular club anthem, “It’s Plenty” is plenty in the ears. Catchy lyrics and irresistible bouncy beat patterns have become prevalent in recent Nigerian music party bangers. I can already picture the call and response choral pattern to this track in a party setting. Cups in the air and everyone chanting the chorus with side remarks like “na only one life dey, chop am” flying around. Burna surely knows how to make us gbe body always.
FOR THE LOVERS
This is the mood you get from tracks 10 through 13. I believe Burna made this part for the love birds. The instrumentals and sultry vocal quality on these tracks give the ambiance necessary for a Tango with your partner. “Dirty Secrets” is one to dance to with your partner while you watch them put on a private show for you, with Toni-Ann Singh serenading the background. All you have to do is lie back and watch them as you sip your red wine. I am sorry if this triggers the single folks reading this. You might as well imagine having a partner while listening. Don’t worry, we’re alone in this together. In case you don’t know, Toni-Ann Singh is a beauty queen and Miss World 2019.
“Solid” is a love language of words of affirmation. Listen to Kehlani and Blxst on Solid as they preach reassurance alongside Burna Boy.
“You the type I really vibe with, So I’ll forever keep it solid. We go public or keep it private, yeah. Ain’t no hesitation about it”
Burna Boy.
Sing this song to a talking stage partner you don’t see a long term goal with at your own risk.
“For my Hand” feat. Ed Sheeran has to be my favorite on first listen. The soft vocal texture and the production makes it the perfect love song on this album. Alongside this, the music video as well communicates the language of love with its colorful, calm ambiance. I foresee a lot of social media content using this track. Dear single pringles, be ready to get choked with love content from this song. See the video here.
“Roller Coaster” on the other hand talks about the gift of life. Burna describes his life as a rollercoaster, the word he uses to describe this body of work. J Balvin believes the protective force of nature guides him.
“Como todo sube, también baja
Pero la vida me protege de las mala'”
(As everything goes up, it also goes down, But life protects me from the bad). You’ll also notice a similar chord progression and beat pattern to “On a low” on this track
Who could the beautiful woman Burna is appraising in “Vanilla” be? Odogwu, the gluteus philosopher credits his malfunctioning to the intoxicating abilities of his lover’s body.
SELF-AWARENESS AND INTROSPECTION
Another favorite on this album on first listen is “Common Person”. Telz nailed the production and that alone captures your attention at first listen. The guitar and melodious saxophone accompaniments alongside the soft chords on this track are top-notch. Burna describes himself as a common person which means as individuals, our individual dreams and happiness matter regardless of our social status.
You’ve probably been wondering who the person behind the beautiful backup is. There you go. His sister Nissi, an exceptional singer as well, voiced the backup on this track.
Burna boy is not here to play as brings on Khalid in “Wild Dreams”. Produced by the genius producer and artist, Jon Bellion alongside The Monsters and Strangerz. He speaks of his struggles growing up in a system where you’re sentenced to not make it out until you put in the extraordinary effort. He also admonishes listeners not to allow people to embrace their pride or tell them their dreams are too big because any big dream today starts from a wild dream.
“How bad could it be” speaks about anxiety, indecisiveness, and managing yourself in your low times. Jorja Smith, Swizz Beats, and Kamaru Usman give their positive suggestions in the opening part of this track.
Burna boy goes all “looking-glass-self” on the concluding song on this album, Love, Damini. He introspects and talks about things he could have done better, and situations where he should have acted better. He features the classic group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo on this as well. There could not have been a better way to end this album than the way he did.
Love, Damini, is a coherent body of work, a letter perfectly depicting tales of love, loss, struggle, and growth. Self-awareness, maturity, and a realistic approach to life, in general, are embodied in this project. This, I believe, is one of his most intuitive bodies of work so far. It is indeed, a conglomeration of emotional rollercoasters.
Listen to Burna boy’s new album, Love, Damini here.
You can also check out my review of Basket Mouth’s album “Horoscopes”