Just in time for Summer…
Wizkid has maintained a consistent level of artistic output since he burst onto the scene with Drake’s ‘One Dance’ in 2018, the Nigerian wunderkind delivering quality releases like ‘Essence’, ‘Bad To Me’ and ‘Mood’ time and time again. It’s resulted in him establishing himself as one of the leaders of the dancehall genre, and today, he cements that moniker with his new album, More Love, Less Ego.
Made up of 13 tracks bustling with laid-back grooves and Caribbean spice, the new record sees Wizkid revel in his mastery of rhythm and rhyme as he explores all corners of the dancehall genre. From the steeze-filled utterances that permeate opening track ‘Money and Love’ to the simmering keys of ‘Everyday’, it’s Wizkid firmly in his element, and much like previous albums ‘Made in Lagos’, ‘Ayo’ and ‘Sounds From The Other Side’, it’s a total home run.
So, we figured we’d take a deep dive into the album for your pleasure. Check it below.
Beginning with the funkadelic ‘Money and Love’, Wizkid sets a sultry mood that underpins the totality of More Love, Less Ego. Utilising a laid-back flow atop a vibrant soundscape, the opener acts as a blissful embodiment of the Wizkid sound so far. He also treats us to plenty of bars in his native Nigerian, indoctrinating the listener into the cultural roots of the genre and his artistry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5yW86kWB-E
The waviness continues on the following track ‘Balance’, Wizkid easing the listener into the world that is More Love, Less Ego. The third song on the album, however, ‘Bad To Me’, sees him experiment with mood and melody as he slows things down with a tantalising guitar line and chant-like harmonies. It’s very much the type of song you’d blast during a sunset beach sesh, matching the tropical vibe such a landscape would illicit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mkhevOXVNk
‘Sugar’ doubles down on the above sentiments, utilising a predominantly sung verse as Wizkid ventures into the world of balladry. The hook is deliciously skeletal, a perfect example of the phrase ‘Less is more.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rALUdAFwDis
‘Everyday’ deserves a special mention with that killer Maya Angelou opening, a monologue about love that sets a good mood for Wizkid to groove you into tomorrow. His repetition of the title ‘Everyday’ forms the basis of the record, both melodically and rhythmically as his following utterances follow suit. His affinity for ad-libbing is truly on display here, with the maestro embarking on various freestyles with ease.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N1KuCtPymQ
Following songs ‘Slip N Slide’, ‘Deep’ and ‘Wet’ all keep the vibes high, doubling down on the laid-back dancehall that makes up More Love, Less Ego. However, this isn’t an album just for easy listening, with Wizkid introducing some hip hop flavouring on the ninth track of the album, ‘Wow’. Featuring Septa, the cut strikes a fiery chord as the MC serves up hard-hitting bars that roll off the tongue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O-APTagYKw
However, a personal favourite is no doubt the following cut, ‘Pressure’, the three-minute bop jamming enough waviness and steeze to last you a whole summer. Wizkid utilises his head voice in this cut to great success, finding a nice synchronicity with the surrounding instrumentation. It’s no doubt the sonic heartbeat of the album, with Wizkid dishing out the catchiest chorus of the project as he sings “If I want to love/ I want to love you, my babe”. The vocal ornamentation spread throughout, most notably the whimsical “beep” adds to the playfulness of the slow burn, maximising it in both resonance and allure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bycVtHqd_XU
It’s no easy task to close out an album, but Wizkid takes the challenge in stride on the second last track, ‘Special’ ft Don Toliver, the laid-back tune listening like a lullaby as ember-like guitar licks engage in a call and response with Wizkid’s punchy vocals. It’s easily the most skeletal cut on the album, and serves as an apt precursor to the final song, ‘Frames’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5u8syC6xOo
It’s here that the aura of the album is well and truly summed up, with ‘Frames’ harnessing troves of funk and soul in waves as Wizkid immerses himself in his falsetto and chest voice as he utters some of More Love, Less Ego’s most pertinent lyrics, most notably “Give me something I never want to lose” (although there are plenty to choose from). It’s the perfect way to close the record that is More Love, Less Ego, and leaves you optimistic for the future of dancehall and the artist that is Wizkid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pva6HclLqkI
