ZIK, since his debut, has presented himself as a beacon of authenticity. His singular approach seemingly inserted him into conversations about Afropop’s next generation of trailblazers. The Nigerian artist went on a roll, swiftly following his single, ‘sdftl,’ with his debut EP, “Odyssey,” and ending the year with an Amapiano-themed track, ‘Lagbaja.’
ZIK began to build a solid reputation for himself, with the release of his first single of the year, ‘Electric Vibe’. The song heralded the release of something special: “No Bad Energy,” a 3-track EP that featured two additional songs, the titular ‘No Bad Energy’ and ‘Too Correct.’ The uplifting harmonies of the former resonated among audiences, prompting ZIK to release two more singles: ‘Early Momo’ and the recent ‘HIGH TENSION.’
True to ZIK’s style, these releases were not just random pieces of music but a sign of what was to come. They were glimpses of another project taking shape. Enter ZIK’s latest project, “For The Times We’ve Lost!” This highly anticipated debut album offers another exciting look into the crooner’s evolving artistry, announcing itself as a celebration of love, resilience, and joy. This message runs through its eight songs, two of which his contemporaries Juma Mufasa and Mister Kay beautifully assist.
On “For The Times We’ve Lost,” ZIK delivers boldly and sensationally. Between the familiar rhythms of its electrifying opener, ‘HIGH TENSION,’ and the encouragement inspired by its closer, ‘No Bad Energy,’ emerge ‘Electric Love’ and five additional songs that power the rising star’s emotionally charged style. ‘ALL THE GIRLS’ is a shining example, with its catchy hook and message to embrace life’s simple pleasures and savor the moment. These come together and serve as a haunting reminder that life is
shorter than we often think.
Keeping up with the high-octane pace, ‘Big Propeller’ evokes feelings of confidence over an upbeat production. This spark finds its way to ‘Jealousy,’ a track where ZIK takes a more intimate approach. His evocative vocals unravel the intricacies of love from an enticing perspective–highlighting his powerful voice and storytelling prowess. The same is true for ‘Lovina’ and ‘Omo,’ each assisted by Juma Mufasa and Mister Kay, respectively, as their irresistible rhythms and melodies take center stage.
Overall, “For The Times We’ve Lost” demonstrates ZIK’s ambition to be among Africa’s best, reigniting conversations about his destiny in the music scene, this time more confidently. Whatever the case, the Nigerian star won’t rest on his laurels! He will continue conveying his emotions through more captivating sounds poised to win him more fans in the court of public opinion.
The rising star’s debut album embraces the fullness of life with high-octane performances across eight tracks that celebrate love, resilience, and joy. “For The Times We’ve Lost” is available on all digital streaming platforms globally here.
