Ruby Gyang's 'This is Love' EP is a vocal delivery gem

Artistes - Ruby Gyang

Guest Appearances - Naeto C, Ajebutter22, Nneka, Bez

Producers - Jude Abaga, Chopstix, L37, Kahli Abdu, Charlie X, Shady Bizniz, Sizzle Pro, Cobhams Asuquo

Record Label - Loopy Music (2015)

Duration - 34 minutes

Loopy Music Singer Ruby Gyang is a great singer. I knew that way before she poured her soul out in Ice Prince’s ‘Stars and Lights’ housed on his successful album. Her claim to general recognition is one that thrills us all. The song ‘Good man’ warmed its way into the hearts of many in 2014, standing as a beacon of exquisite vocal delivery which still remains on the playlists of many.

Ruby is a singer of love. She loves the concept of it all, the giddy highs, the debilitating lows, the long nights, the fights, the joys, the sadness, the warmth and fleeting security that human relationships promise. And she pours all of this into her creative time. Her love overlaps with her creative energy, and together they birth musical joy.

The title ‘This is love’ is a bit strong. It’s a declaration of sentiments that give you no room for imagination. It is worded to smack you right across the heart and give you an ache that is fuelled by romantic curiosity. You don’t get to use your head when listening to this work. It’s all in the heart dude. Wake up and smell the romance.

'This is Love' is 34 minutes long. It is cute, small and without the threat of monopolising your entire day. This is love, not chains. A trip to burlesque music opens up the 7-track EP. ‘High’ with Naeto C is a gem of song to pro-western romantics. With a construction of polished keyboard chords, guitar lines and sprouting horns, Ruby remembers a lover of sorts. Someone who gave her highs and lows, and ultimately became a whisper of cruel longing and memories.

The heartbreak theme is a catch and Ruby plays with it, this time a bit stronger, as she screams ‘No No No’ to a returning lover. The jilted Ruby becomes strong, and emphatically moves ahead with her life in a fusion of R&B and Pop. But she goes for a fusion of Afrobeats, synthetic drums and rattles in her ‘Shakara’ with Ajebutter22. Jazz is exceptionally strong here as she ditches the depth of the opening numbers to give a feel good song with basic lyrics. She maintains this tempo on ‘Down’, a reassuring House dance track which is a declaration of sharing in love.

‘Good Man’ had already made its case, but perfection can be improved upon, and Ruby achieves that on the remix which contains Bez Idakula and closes the EP. “When you come around, smiling like a charm my head is spin around”…Bez sings. The fusion of Soul and R&B in this duet is enhanced with the remarkable Bez. As duets go, this is exceptional. A true upgrade to a smashing song.

Ruby’s possesses sublime vocal talent, far beyond what she currently understands and can deliver, and it shows. ‘This Is Love’ isn’t a true reflection of her strengths. If anything, it a good compilation to keep things ticking over while she gets to work for that killer album. May her creative juices never run dry.

Rating: 3.5/5

Ratings

1-Dull

2-Boring

2.5-Average

3-Worth Checking Out

3.5-Hot

4-Smoking Hot

4.5-Amazing

5-Perfection