Theta (album)

Last updated
Theta
Brymo Theta album cover.jpg
Studio album by
Brymo
ReleasedMay 27, 2022
Genre
Length35:00
Language
Label Independent
Producer Bigfoot
Brymo chronology
9: Harmattan & Winter
(2021)		Theta
(2022)		Ethos
(2022)

Theta is the tenth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo, independently released on May 27, 2022. The album comprises ten tracks and was recorded entirely in Nigerian Pidgin. Labeled a folk, sentimental ballad, and quiet storm record, Theta explores themes of survival, prudence, sexual violence, abuse, hypocrisy, communal violence, and love. The album's production was handled by Bigfoot, who single-handedly produced Brymo's Libel and 9: Harmattan & Winter projects in their entirety.

Contents

Brymo announced the album's track list in a Twitter post and described the record as "a study of humanity's struggles – and a view into what it might have been". Theta received positive critical acclaim from music critics, who called it "simplistic" and praised Brymo's songwriting.

Background

Theta was released on May 27, 2022, along with Brymo's third book The Bad Tooth. [1] [2] Ten tracks comprise the album, which was recorded entirely in Nigerian Pidgin. [1] Brymo announced the album's track list in a Twitter post and described the record as "a study of humanity's struggles – and a view into what it might have been". [3] [1] Producer Bigfoot, who previously oversaw the production of Brymo's Harmattan & Winter and Libel projects, single-handedly mixed, mastered, and produced all of the album's tracks. [4]

Music and lyrics

Theta is a mixture of sentimental ballad, quiet storm, and folk music. [5] It deals with themes of survival, prudence, sexual violence, abuse, hypocrisy, communal violence, and love. [6] All of the album's songs feature rhythmic percussion, piano and violin chords, and choral chants. [6] Although Theta has tracks with percussion and upbeat tempos, its chord progression is mostly dark and melancholic. [5]

Tracks 1–5

"Illusions", the album's opening track, has a somber and contemplative tone. [6] On the record, Brymo analyzes the horrific realities of the transatlantic slave trade while taking a sarcastic jab at the seeming lack of resistance shown by African slaves against their Western masters. [6] Afrocritik writer Chinonso Ihekire wrote that while Brymo's position may be considered "politically incorrect", the singer "tackles the subject, creating vivid imageries that are reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained ". [6] The mellow track "Pim Pim" is driven by piano chords, shekere, and slow drums. [1] [6] In "Pim Pim", Brymo explores various paradigms that are people-centric and promotes the resurgence of a populace that is prosperous as a result of respectable work. [6] Ihekire notes that the record is "reminiscent of Brymo's own personal struggles" and that the singer is "unashamed of his humble beginnings". [6]

In the Afrobeats-themed "Dem No Born Us Together", Brymo makes a statement about the bandwagon mentality that permeates every aspect of human existence and advises his audience to consider their decisions. The song features an upbeat Fela Kuti-esque instrumental. [1] [6] In "Love Na Drug", Brymo describes a love that is stronger than hard drugs and talks in parables about those who hold grudges against him. [6] Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake praised Brymo for being "unrepentantly human" and said the song "portrays Brymo as one who doesn't look like he wants to have all the answers, but one who simply says how he honestly feels." [5] "Money Good", the album's fifth track, has been described as a "slow-burn ode". [6] According to Alake, the song conveys Brymo's own take on the subjects it covers. [5]

Tracks 6–10

The slow-tempo track "Life Dey Go On" is composed of jazz-esque keys and violins. Music critic Bomi Anifowose characterized the song as a "nihilistic cry about how life keeps on pacing regardless of anybody's circumstance." [4] The seventh track, "Tomorrow", explores afro jazz. Anifowose called the song "bubbly, happy and groovy" and said it could make listeners get an "80s funky vibe" while listening to the song. [4] In the metal track "Oga", Brymo looks back on his 2021 rape allegations, which surfaced on Twitter and were previously addressed on Libel. [1] [6] "Oga" depicts a male character who has sexually assaulted a woman and is on the verge of meeting his waterloo; Brymo suggests that he wants the same punishment for anyone who gets caught in a similar situation, including himself. [6] Alake said the track "leans more towards pain, consequences, retribution, and what could have been", and is an "outlier" on the album. [5]

"Market Square", the ninth track, parodies humanity's incapacity to recognize jokes associated with karma. [1] Alake said the song is curated with symbolism and is "generally symptomatic of Brymo's simpler brand songwriting". [5] The ballad "For You" ends the album's sonic journey and folksy narrative. [4] [1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pulse Nigeria8.2/10 [5]
Afrocritik 8.0/10 [6]
The Cable Lifestyle7.0/10 [1]

Theta received positive critical acclaim from music critics. Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake awarded the album 8.2 out of 10, calling it simplistic and noting that it "feels like an anthological series about society, humanity and our plight, delivered via a collection of mostly personal perspectives, feelings and musings." [5] Alake also commended Brymo for not "forcing his opinions, thoughts and views down anybody's throat." [5] Writing for the media platform DigiMillennials, Bomi Anifowose characterized Theta as a "symbolic oeuvre of a poetic messiah". [4]

Afrocritik's Chinonso Ihekire granted the album a rating of 8.0 out of 10, saying it "provides a reassuring feel of genius" and that its only noticeable imperfection is "its status as the work of a human mind eternally condemned to imperfection." [6] Ihekire also characterized the album as "a complex masterpiece" and said it thrives on "simplicity". [6] In a review for The Cable Lifestyle, Fareedat Taofeeq rated the album 7/10, calling it "a great piece" and praising the singer for embracing the literal meaning of each song. [1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ and produced by Bigfoot

No.TitleLength
1."Illusions"5:39
2."Pim Pim"3:33
3."Dem No Born Us Together"3:19
4."Love Na Drug"3:57
5."Money Good"2:32
6."Life Dey Go On"4:37
7."Tomorrow"2:33
8."Oga"2:53
9."Market Square"2:42
10."For You"3:16
Total length:35:00

Release history

Release formats for Theta
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousMay 27, 2022 Digital download, streaming Independent [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brymo</span> Nigerian singer (born 1986)

Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ, better known as Brymo, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, sonic artist, actor and author who was born and raised in Okokomaiko. Brymo started recording music in 1999 while in secondary school. He signed a recording contract with music label Chocolate City in 2010 but was accused of breaching his contract in 2013. Brymo released his debut studio album Brymstone in 2007. His second studio album The Son of a Kapenta was released in 2012, and was supported by the singles "Ara", "Good Morning" and "Go Hard". His third studio album Merchants, Dealers & Slaves, which was released on 20 October 2013, received positive reviews from music critics and yielded the singles "Down" and "Eko".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindsey Abudei</span> Nigerian neo-soul singer

Lindsey Chukwufumnanya Abudei, who is known professionally as Lindsey Abudei, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She started recording music and having jam sessions with rappers M.I Abaga and Jesse Jagz while still an undergraduate law student in 2014. Abudei has released the solo projects Brown: The EP (2013), ...And the Bass Is Queen (2016), and Kaleidoscope (2023).

The following is a list of events and releases that have happened or are expected to happen in 2019 in African music.

The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2020 in African music.

<i>Yellow</i> (Brymo album) 2020 studio album by Brymo

Yellow is the seventh studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo, independently released on 1 April 2020. The album explores hedonistic viewpoints and is a departure from the dark themes of his sixth studio album Oṣó. Brymo described Yellow as an album about "love and survival", and said it is an alternative pop and electronic record. The album is a mixture of sentimental ballad, trap, sophisti-pop, shoegaze, rock, synth-pop and folk. Nigerian singer Lindsey Abudei is the only artist to be featured on the album. Yellow was initially intended to have 17 songs but due to technical issues, two songs were omitted from the project. The album was supported by the single "Strippers + White Lines", and was nominated for Best Alternative Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cavemen (band)</span> Nigerian Highlife band

The Cavemen are a Nigerian highlife band consisting of sibling duo Kingsley Okorie, a bassist, and Benjamin James, a drummer. They were brought to the limelight by Lady Donli and are known for their live performances. They won the 2020 Headies Award for the Best Alternative Album.

<i>Boo of the Booless</i> 2020 studio album by Chike

Boo of the Booless is the debut studio album of Nigerian singer Chike. It was released on February 14, 2020. Chike enlisted Ogaga Sakpaide to A&R the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Made Kuti</span> Nigerian singer and songwriter

Ọmọ́rìnmádé Kútì known professionally as Made Kuti, is a Nigerian afrobeat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. He released his debut album titled For(e)ward in 2021.

Akinbi Bamidele Brett, known professionally as Cheque, is a Nigerian rapper and singer. He rose to mainstream fame for his 2020 single "Zoom". In 2021, he won an award for Best Duo African HipHop at the All Africa Music Awards alongside Fireboy DML. He is currently signed to Phyno's Penthauze imprint.

<i>Old Romance</i> 2020 studio album by Tekno

Old Romance is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriter Tekno. It was released on 10 December 2020, by Island Records and Cartel Entertainment. The album combines elements of R&B and Afropop with neo-soul percussive rhythms. Old Romance received mixed reviews from music critics. as Motolani Alake for Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake commended Tekno for having "an uncanny understanding of music and sounds"

<i>Boy Alone</i> 2022 studio album by Omah Lay

Boy Alone is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Omah Lay. It was released on 14 July 2022, by Keyquad and Sire Records, while its deluxe edition was released on 15 June 2023. The standard edition features guest appearances from Tay Iwar and Justin Bieber, while the deluxe edition features guest appearances from Ozuna and Aitch. Production was handled by Niphkeys, Tempoe, Semzi, Orlandoh, P.Priime, P2J, Tunesfactory, Harv, Sammy SoSo, BGRZ, Debox and Avedon. The album serves as a follow-up to his second EP, What Have We Done (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PsychoYP</span> Musical artist

Nicholas Ihua-Maduenyi, widely known as PsychoYP, is a Nigerian alternative hip hop rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is a member of the music collective Apex Village. He came into the music scene with a critically acclaimed mixtape, YPSZN, which earned him a nomination at the SAMAs, and the Headies for his second fit album YPSZN2. Dubbed "The Fresh Prince of Nigerian Rap", he is regarded as one of Nigeria's rap music pioneers in the alté music scene.

Alabo Tuwonimi Tuonims, better known by his stage name Ninety, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer.

<i>Libel</i> (EP) 2020 EP by Brymo

Libel is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer Brymo, released independently on November 5, 2020. A follow-up to his seventh studio album Yellow, the EP comprises five tracks and features guest vocals by Deborah Prest. All of the songs on Libel were produced and mastered entirely by Bigfoot. The EP's lyrics address the rape accusations leveled against Brymo by a woman on social media. Libel was supported by the single "Messiah Complexes".

<i>9: Èsan</i> 2021 studio album by Brymo

9: Èsan, also known simply as Èsan, is the eighth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo. It was released on September 9, 2021, along with 9: Harmattan & Winter. The album represents a change from the sarcasm of Libel and the hedonistic viewpoint of Yellow. Èsan comprises nine tracks and was produced and mastered by Mikky Me Joses. It was recorded entirely in the Yoruba language and is a mixture of alternative rock, afro-soul, sentimental ballad, and Yoruba folk music. Thematically, the album deals with masculinity, exuberance, self-adulation, narcissism, and promiscuity. Èsan was nominated for Best Alternative Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2022.

Akintunde Abiodun Timileyin, known professionally as T.I Blaze, is a Nigerian singer, and songwriter currently signed to Dvpper Music. He rose to stardom with the release of his sleeper hit single "Sometimes" in 2021 which spawned success in 2022, following the remix with one of Nigerian most influential artists in Africa Olamide, which earned him his first chart entry at number three on Nigeria TurnTable Songs chart, and at number sixteen, on TurnTable End of the Year Top 100 of 2022.

<i>9: Harmattan & Winter</i> 2021 studio album by Brymo

9: Harmattan & Winter, also known simply as Harmattan & Winter, is the ninth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo. It was released on September 9, 2021, along with 9: Èsan. The album comprises nine tracks and is a combination of alternative rock, folk, sentimental ballad, and fusion-rock. Recorded entirely in English, Harmattan & Winter addresses topics of heartbreak, self-discovery, romance, mental health, and monogamy. Bigfoot produced the entire album, which deviates from Libel's subtle denial and Yellow's hedonistic perspective. The title track, "Harmattan & Winter," was released as the album's only single. Harmattan & Winter received positive reviews from music critics, who called it a "morose album" and praised Brymo's songwriting.

<i>Catch Me If You Can</i> (Adekunle Gold album) 2022 studio album by Adekunle Gold

Catch Me If You Can is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold. It was released on 4 February 2022 by Afro Urban Records and distributed by Splatoon. The album features guest appearances from Stefflon Don, Davido, Ty Dolla Sign, Fatoumata Diawara, Lucky Daye and Fousheé. Adekunle Gold enlisted production from Pheelz, Blaisebeatz, Seyifunmi, Tay Iwar, Synematik, Bigfish, Kali, Rymez, Lekaa Beats, Quebeat and TMXO.

<i>Outlaw</i> (EP) 2022 EP by Victony

Outlaw is the second EP by Nigerian singer Victony. It was released on 6 May 2022, by Encore Recordings and features producers Ktizo and Tempoe. Production was handled by Ktizo, Tempoe, Blaisebeatz, P.Priime, Dëra, Frank Moses, and Blind. The album housed the singles "Apollo," "Kolomental," and "Soweto."

<i>Barnabas</i> (EP) 2021 EP by Kizz Daniel

Barnabas is the first EP by Nigerian singer Kizz Daniel. It was released on 19 November 2021, by Flyboy I.N.C and Empire Distribution. The EP featured guest appearances from The Cavemen and Kelvyn Colt. Production was handled by Philkeyz, Reward Beatz, Roc Legion, DJ Coublon, Blaisebeatz. Barnabas serves a follow-up to King of Love (2020).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Fareedat Taofeeq (June 22, 2022). "Album Review: Brymo is versatile, unique in 'Theta'". The Cable Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  2. ↑ Nana Tenadu (May 12, 2022). "Brymo Announces Release Date for Forthcoming Projects". Unorthodox Reviews. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  3. ↑ Dahunsi Olabode (February 21, 2022). "Brymo Releases Track-list Of His Upcoming Album (See List)". Novice 2 Star. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Bomi Anifowose (June 6, 2022). "Review: Brymo's 'Theta' Album". Digi Millennials. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Motolani Alake (June 23, 2022). "'Theta' continues Brymo's run of impressive albums, albeit with a different approach [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Chinonso Ihekire (June 3, 2022). "In "Theta," Brymo Births Another Soundtrack of Solace". Afrocritik. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "Theta by Brymo". Apple Music. 27 May 2022. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.