The rise of afrobeats – and its myriad offshoots – as a really world pressure is one in every of twenty first century’s defining music impulses. But shattering the glass ceiling can current a number of issues – in any case, how do you keep management of the lens your artwork is seen by means of? Take Rema. The star packed out the O2 Enviornment in London, however visuals that referenced beliefs and traditions from his native Benin Metropolis had been misconstrued. As such, new album ‘HEIS’ represents an try and faucet again into his basis, to re-assert his core values.
11 tracks, no filler. Solely a handful of friends, and all of them near Rema. ‘HEIS’ seems like his true testomony, his autobiography, unfiltered and true. ‘MARCH AM’ is a blasting opener, an announcement of muscular ambition that refuses to cowtow to expectations. ‘AZAMAN’ ratchets the vitality up even additional, whereas the delirious ‘HEHEHE’ merges braggadocio to depraved afrobeats manufacturing to create one thing infectious but in addition unsettling – Rema desires you on the sting of your seat, completely.
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‘YAYO’ dials it down a bit, permitting some soulful facets to creep in, whereas the mighty ‘BENIN BOYS’ is a vital message of cultural self-worth – refusing to shy from harsh truths, Rema nonetheless emerges emboldened, backed by Shallipopi.
Title lower ‘HEIS’ has a daring, virtually cinematic association, one knowledgeable by the traditions that run deep within the communities that birthed Rema. There’s additionally some unimaginable low-end, too – the diasporic connections between Benin Metropolis, American hip-hop, and UK membership music run deep.
‘OZEBA’ is all machine gun snares and purring vocals, a piece of complete immediacy. ‘WAR MACHINE’ nonetheless seems like a piece of mourning, with Rema backed by fellow breakout ODUMODUBLVCK.
Closing with the mighty ‘VILLAIN’ and the electrifying, wholly anthemic ‘NOW I KNOW’, it is a file that calls for you consideration with its whiplash velocity. Distinct from his 2022 debut ‘Rave & Roses’, this feels uncompromising, and new. ‘HEIS’ is the work of an artist emboldened, and undimmed.
8/10
Phrases: Robin Murray
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