Mystro provides nothing but sweetness on "Sugar"

jonathan

February 19, 2018 6:09 PM

Sugar is generally sweet, and “Sugar” album provides equal taste, if not more.

Album - SugarArtist - MystroRecord Label - Bankulli Entertainment (2018)Duration - 35 minutes

After quite the while, singer/producer Mystro decides to stop work on his studio console and come through with his debut album. This move comes from a place of rebranding and rebirth in “Sugar, the product of a process in which Mystro, serenades his lover, enjoys life, pushes himself as a party animal.

Mystro’s songwriting is invigorated by a headlong rush of romance and narrative, exploring shifts of tone and theme along the way. He keeps no emotion to himself, describing the 10-track collection as the sound of being alive and in love. Bouncy guitars line up the Maleek Berry collab ‘Bad’, and his emotions lead the way on the folk-inspired ‘Ife’, while Ycee turns in a worth guest vocal for the heady ‘Sibe Sibe’.

A standout track, ‘Bad’ which features Afrobeats royalty, Maleek Berry, is a bouncy, party starter that feels like it belongs to every party playlist. The two feed off their energy, describing the ‘baddest’ woman they have ever met. Elsewhere, ‘Ife’ his collaboration with Simi, is syrupy Afro-fusion carries the emotion, with the exultant songwriting and delivery, that has defined Mystro’s art and thrust him into the spotlight.

The stand-out jewel here is the Nonso Amadi-assisted ‘Juice box’, a mid-tempo vibration, which carries through as either late-night companion, or a midday get-up. “Oh Faridah, shey you know you sweeter than vanilla, oya come and gimme that your ginger,” Mystro sings on the syrupy hook, as he describes his girl as his “juice box, chargie, hot sauce and coco.”

The core of the irresistible album is couched in Mystro’s songwriting and delivery. From pop culture ambitions, to suave romantic declarations, the singer keeps it at a 100, telling expressive tales, and whipping up pictures with every line. It is rich, deep, stimulating and fulfilling, with a balance that keeps the dynamism ticking.

Rating: 4/5

Ratings

1-Dull2-Boring2.5-Average3-Worth Checking Out3.5-Hot4-Smoking Hot4.5-Amazing5-Perfection

jonathan