Review: “The Cornerstone” by Darkovibes

After a successful run with his debut album “Kpanlogo” and major hit “Inna Song” topping charts for weeks, the La Meme gang Rockstar wants to go 2 for 2 with his second project of the year, an album that weighs on his trademark, the trap Darkovibes era.

In relation to architecture, a cornerstone is traditionally the first stone laid for a structure, with all other stones laid in reference. Rewinding back to the early stages of Darko’s career, trap/hip hop infused with his native language was what marked his presence on the scene, with his 2017 single “Mercy” being a specific example. On this latest album, patches of mercy run through the project taking us back to Darko’s cornerstone. “Close to you” is modernized Trapsoul Darko, with the help of fellow band Member RJZ, the two croon on a thick base production by Quicksox with electric sounds that run at the back, allowing the vocals of both artistes to smoothly ask for nothing but genuine love.

Whilst “Pree Wee” takes a surprising turn, with Bali & Yung D3mz crafting a dancehall production on which Humble and Darkovibes channel their inner Reggae muffin vibes.

Once again what is a Darkovibes project without some Jumpoff magic? The producer who created the hit “Stay Woke” gets three slots on the 8 track long project, and on “Problems”, hermetic quality of production stays in line with Darko’s catchy chorus, and Sarkodie’s assist speaks best of the highest, tackling the problems of the average Ghanaian man. However “Lost Ones” is the lookout song. It’s almost as if Darko made this song after “Bangers” in 2017, it’s Trap-Emo Darkovibes draws inspiration from the advice of his late mum, an important figure in his life. On the typical “La Meme type” of a beat, he does what he’s known for: basic lyricism that speaks of and for the youth, with an outro that is covered by RJZ’s robotic wavy voice.

Talk about a peak Darkovibes song, “Strap” has it all, I mean off the title alone, it’s a whole shoot-out on that song. On a Juiczxxx & Rycon bouncy trap beat, Darkovibes enters “smith and Wesson” mode, firing rounds of verses to his haters, whilst giving us a catchy sing-a-long anthem in the process. “Sierra Leone” is probably the most beautiful song on the project, it gives 2016/17 villain sounds vibes but in a whole new era & Darko’s wave carefully surfs on an experimental type beat by Jumpoff. On this track, it’s the young artiste and his free will & alongside RJZ backings, it’s almost like a classic La Meme song without the two other members.

Talk about a Bop, “Chicken Swing” has it all, produced by Jumpoff, the song borrows some Southern Hip Hop bounce, functioning as a clubby palate cleanser, and with what looks like a dance, it could be an anthem for trap fans. Surprisingly, “Crazy People” is a political jam, with Darko attacking the harsh conditions of the world from a young person’s pov and with the help of Willis Beatz, his message is carried along smoothly. Overall, Cornerstone is a reminder of just how malleable Darko’s approach to music is, flipping from flirtatious and tender to outright lovestruck and then into a savage mode in a blink of an eye. It’s almost as if he listened to his fans and made this specifically for the day ones.

Listen to “the Cornerstone” here.