Love Damini: A Dazzling Emblem On Afro-fusion In Africa. A Review Of Burna Boy's New Album

On Friday, the 8th of July 2022, The Nigerian artist poured libations on the world by putting a seal on his Afro-fusion dexterity, having turned 31 on July 2nd, he released his sixth album titled “Love, Damini” a follow-up for his Grammy Award album “Twice As Tall".

As a global artist, listeners all across the world were eager to hear what the legendary Afro-fusion artist had in store for them.

In the months leading up to the album, Burna had released two singles off the album - “Kilometre" and “Last Last” which built up listeners’ anticipation for the new album. Although the latter garnered more airwaves and acceptance than the former, the two singles proved that the artist has honed his skills and mastered walking the tightrope of “Afro-fusion" — an amalgam of Afrobeats, dancehall, rap and R&B.'

Nonetheless, the poignant question in the mind of everyone is: "Will Love, Damini top the success or match the worldwide acceptance the last album coveted?"; Perhaps, this question has hinted at answers already, but the expectations were not surprising, I mean, for an artist who has had a crazy run, everyone always wants them to recreate the magic. Most times artists do, but it's never enough because everyone just wants an encore of the previous material — which, most times, is almost impossible.

The bar has been raised and so his pedestal is way too high, perhaps higher than can be met, so any complaints after listening to Love, Damini remain valid.

Love, Damini — Track-by-track review of the Album:

Focusing on the content embedded in Love, Damini. Burna radiates brightly on subjects like; Love, self- interrogation, PH city peril, experience, pains, triumphs and heartbreak while entering the next phase of his life.

1. Glory ft Ladysmith Black Mambazo:

This tune is a definite tone setter for the album. Just like most of Burna Boy's albums, the opening track is always symbolic. It starts with an African hymn, On the opening track “Glory,” the beautiful voices of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo repeatedly chant, “This is my story,” segueing into the very European Happy Birthday song, giving a semblance to "Level Up" with Youssou N Dour in Twice At Tall.

Burna's entry is smooth yet emotional, he reflected and wrestles with his grief; "Lately, I've Been Fucked Up, Been Having A Hard Time Like Back When My Dawg Died". He flexed his musical prowess by hitting higher octaves at some point while taking the chorus, looks like Burna Boy intended to outshine every vocalist he collaborates with.

2. Science

This is an instant hit. Reminiscent of "anybody" in the African Giant album. There's a saccharine quality to it. Almost like it was designed to hold your hand or waist and lead you into dance and eternal enjoyment. "When you dey whine, you dey do me science"; One could say the producer went back to listen to "Anybody", tweaked it and made a few improvements.
The sax and the percussion on "Science" blend nicely, laced with the soft guitar, but the wind instruments stood out. One of the party jams on the album.

3. Cloak and Dagger

This is a piece of funky music with an uptempo beat. The most anticipated collaboration on the album. Burna Boy's versatility came to play in the chorus and the hook. Shows how he has improved his vocals over the years. Crispier, compared to the gravelly tenor on the Outside LP. J Hus flow was fluidy and steamy - carrying energy.

4. Kilometre

This track exudes the braggadocious of a true African Giant. Burna Boy vaunts his greatness and a reminder that he's been doing it for ages via, kilometre; He sings, "I don tey for the game Shina Peters"; This allusion and understanding of his greatness underscores what African Giants depicts, for someone whose confidence is palpable and almost infectious. He is sure no one else is better at music, at least none of his contemporaries are. "Oya come make I give you the gist (gist,) when's the last time somebody did it like this? (this)..."; An infectious jam. Immediately very likeable.

5. Jagele

This song pierces through you and you begin to lose consciousness in the rhythm and consequently lift your legs, and your hands and finally baptize your whole body into the rhythmic beats and the idyllic voice that suits it.
Burna tried his falsetto here and it's commendable. The song is laced with guitar ticks and distant reggae horns.

6. Whiskey

What's a Burna boy album without a piece of socially conscious music? The intro to this song is everything - gives the theme of the song, a song specially made to expose the ills of his city. A double-kick beat carried through with brass instruments.

Burna's deep baritone slowly unveils an assertion that every Nigerian resident today can relate to, especially if you live in Port Harcourt.

7. Last Last

Burna Boy’s brilliance at making a post-heartbreak song like this danceable while evading your mind away from the pains is magical. A sampled track from Toni Braxton "He wasn't man enough" led through by an underlying sound of a guitar.

Burna Boy illustrates how suburban boys process heartbreak in the trenches, seeking solace in the company of friends and booze — chanting "I need Igbo and shayoo"; Throughout the song, Burna did not waste a single word. The delivery was smooth.

8. Different Size ft Victony

This is a combo we never expected to have this early. Introduced by squid game soundtrack effects. Burna has never missed on any Amapiano, and he didn't disappoint here.

Victony's entry is perfect, Sublime vocals, lo-fi and calm. His preference for bum bum always stands, magnifying the abundance and difference of gluteus maximus. Brilliant production too. It's a party jam.

9. It's plenty

"It's plenty" is sure to brighten anyone’s day. The song’s melody is irresistible and the hook is simple to memorize. Albeit, the production of this song is faulty, making it bland. There are noticeable misplacements of the beat.

10. Dirty Secrets

This tune has the laid-back afro groove that is typical of Burna boy. A soothing, calm, lovey-dovey song. It's one for the two lovers on the dance floor because of the heavy kicks in the background. This song sounds like a lustful dialogue with his lover, "Your body nah weapon, mo de fe showo kan, I dey sacrifice my money tonight.."; celebrating love in its purest form.