On his latest EP, Head Over Heels, Abdulala dives into a short and sweet exploration of love through the uncompromising lens of Afrobeats.
Growing up in Festac, one of the most influential places in Nigeria in terms of music, Abdulala’s style was inspired by 2face, Daniel Wilson, Sunny Ade, Fela, and Onyeka Onwenu, he revealed in an interview with iMullar. Across all five songs, the crooner never wavers on his Afrobeats roots. The intro track, titled Features, a straightforward Afropop ballad sets the tone. Powered by a stripped-back Afrobeats production with churning industrial log drums and anchored by lyrics that bathe his lover with soft words, it is the perfect starter. Despite being head over heels for his lover, he still has time for self-reflection and hustle. On Do Better Abdulala weaves his personality and everyday life into the song’s core, and with a groovy production, the song falls under a meditative yet danceable tune.
The production of this EP shines through. Abdulala’s chemistry with Nigerian producer Timmy, is vital to the EP’s foundation, with his go-to producer handling all five songs. Timmy incorporates his blueprint instrumentation on all songs, lacing them with log drums and Afropop immediacy designed specifically to complement Abdulala’s vocals. And he is strongest when he’s crooning love songs. Normal, the third track, is a standout on the EP. The intuitive singer-songwriter recruits KvngVidarr for a dazzling groovy tune that contends with bedroom tales and unconditional love. He slows things down with Details, reassuring his lover of his efforts. Abdulala’s voice sounds more subtle and assuring, allowing him to shine on Let Me Know.
Head Over Heels sonically displays a world centered around his love life, its ups and downs, curated with punchy storytelling. All five songs wallow less and luxuriate more, with soothing, sumptuous, bittersweet themes that sum up love and life. For a debut, that’s as good as it gets, and we can expect more from Abdulala.
