Naija and Alternative Music: Review of Brymo’s Latest Album – Klitoris

The first thing that drew me to this track was the title. How very daring! I guess that was something to attract you and I and it worked. I hear Klitoris is a Greek word or something like that. The cover art is also very ‘one-kind’. Hmm Brymo!! For those whose minds are in the gutter, there is almost nothing sexual about this album. It is actually very conscious, and I am not sure I heard any cuss words. It took me a while to actually find time to listen to it. But after the twitter wahala where he described the album as the ‘album of the year’, for many years to come’, I knew it was a must-listen.

It is an 11-track album and has only one feature. This album has me like ‘Who writes Brymo’s songs?’ Really nice well thought out lyrics all through the album and for that I must say ‘KUDOS’!

Track 1: Naked ft. Esse
This track starts out like a Nollywood soundtrack for the first few seconds. I nearly skipped it to the next track and then Brymo’s amazing and soulful vocals captured me and kept me listening till the end. The first line keeps you very interested in what else the song has to say. Very smooth track that makes you want to listen to rest of the album. The song also features “Esse” whose voice I couldn’t really make out; but I guess it’s probably hidden somewhere in the chorus.

Track 2: Dem Dey Go
The song reminds me of his Duro song (which I love like crazy). Another song which carries a story and a very strong message. I think the best part of this song is the very beautiful production. It is a very quiet song, rich and I can say that I hear this song in my heart. Lovely song.

Track 3: Happy Memories
This song truly gives me happy memories. Sweet, soulful love song puts me in a romantic mood and instinctively makes me want to share a hug. Great song to listen when you’re alone with bae. I love it!

Track 4: Ko S’aya mi
Very similar to Happy Memories, but has a folk twist to it. Also a love song, I love the use of Yoruba on this track. I am not particularly excited about the hook of this song because it kind of gets boring. Apart from that, I think it is a beautiful track as well.

Track 5: Alajo Somolu
By far my absolute favourite track on this album! I love afro beat!! This is the one track that made me anticipate the album. I think Brymo killed it. ‘Alajo Somolu’ is something my mum used to make reference too every time she spoke about a smart person so the song for me is highly relatable.

Track 6: Something Good is happening

Sounds very much like Asa’s ‘Bimpe’. I love love love the lyrics of this song, very creatively written and I love the production too (I especially love the drums). It’s a wonderful song of hope and I like the way it ends.

Track 7: Billion Naira Dream
While I think this song is brilliantly written, the sound doesn’t really speak to me. I feel like it gets a bit drab. I think more could have been done with it to make it come out fuller and richer. Maybe like what Darey did with the Soweto choir on the ‘Pray for me’ song. However, Brymo kills it with his vocals as always and makes it bearable.

Track 8: Let’s Make Love
Very similar to Track 7 but acoustic for the most part. Great vocals and interesting lyrics and nice piano work. Vocals also on point. I expected a high point where there’ll be some sort of modulation or something; well, I didn’t get it and that was rather disappointing. But then, this is a nice track for night time.

Track 9: Mirage
Also very similar to track 7 and 8, it didn’t really do too much for me. I like the intro though.

Track 10: The Way the Cookie Crumbles
Just when I’m about to sleep off after track 9, track 10 gives me something different. *THANK GOODNESS*. The reggaeton twist is really refreshing and I love love love this song!

Track 11: The Girl from Newyork
The album ends with this really nice track. For a song that has actual words, I think the intro is too long. But the song is fantastic and I like it.

This is a really nice album I must say! Is it the ‘album of the year’? I wouldn’t say so.. But is it worth buying, keeping and repeating? Of course it is! Well done Brymo! Have I mentioned at any point what his voice does to me?