Mercy Chinwo's 'Satisfied' is an excellent emotional companion on a journey of faith [Album Review]

Satisfied might only be the sophomore album of this winner of the 2011 edition of Nigerian Idol, but she is already a superstar who inspires awe with her verbose soprano and words.

Her 2018 debut album, The Cross: My Gaze spawned smash hits like, 'Bor Ekom,' 'Excess Love,' 'Omekannaya' and 'With All My Heart' in their multilingual appreciation of the supreme being through praise and worship. Sometimes, she is mellow and other times, the spirit leads her to scream her lungs out in a melodious haze.

Till this day, this beautiful beret-loving Port Harcourt-bred artist with a captivating smile and a cool personality remains soft-spoken, charming and unassuming off the stage. At just 29, Chinwo is just getting started and that makes her potential limitless. Satisfied is perfectly timed and follows much of the template she set on The Cross: My Gaze.

Delivered in Igbo, Ibibio, Yoruba and English, Satisfied is a bed of quality in praise and worship through dense expressionism of deep-rooted faith. In it lies the truth that spirituality resonates organically. It will then not be a coincidence when a non-Christian is moved by the manner of Chinwo's appreciation of her maker and father.

When she strains her vocal cords to convey the depth of her faith of emotions, you feel it. When she then switches the alternative music to more sombre ballads or Afro-pop and folk sounds and calmer vocal exertions, you still appreciate her.

‘Baby Song’ is a piano-based sentimental ballad with eclectic horns. Opened to the seeming voice of a young person - presumably her child, Mercy Chinwo takes over in her more mature vocal. She is distinctively matured and her voice stands out. Both of them praise Jesus for being good. The cello and violin collisions are soothing. Amazing intro.

‘Udeme’ is a more pop-based record on which she sings in Ibibio and thanks God for making her his property or for giving her what belongs to her. That trumpet is a beautiful embellishment. Opening up like a Trevor Jones score off Last of The Mohicans is a ballad driven by legato strings that carry Chinwo’s appreciation of Jesus on ‘Tasted of Your Power.’

‘Onye’ is another piano-based ballad with the soul of classical music on which Mercy Chinwo praises God in Igbo. While the mixing of this song needs work, it seems Chinwo flexes her vocal range excellently. ‘Obinasom’ has all the markings of yet another Mercy Chinwo hit alongside ‘Udeme.’

Released in February 2020, ‘Obinasom’ sees Chinwo credit God and Jesus for the good things in her life with Igbo and English. ‘Onememma’ is high-praise that borrows from Congolese soukous, sprinkled with guitar flavour. Chinwo and another star in Chioma Jesus praise God - this feels like another hit.

Another high praise is delivered in Pidgin and English as Mercy Chinwo reaffirms the dominion of God. ‘Kosi’ brings it all back down to classical worship as Mercy Chinwo sings in Yoruba that there is no other presence like God’s. ‘Oh Jesus’ uses the story of Jesus’ crucifixion to reaffirm the power in his name.

With that, “Oh Jesus” hook, this has the potential to be another hit. Initially released in September 2019, ‘Akamdinelu’ follows the same template as ‘Oh Jesus.’ ‘Strong Tower’ is an alternative rock song that elevates the power in the name of God as a “Strong Tower.” This is so beautiful.

Released in September 2018, ‘Chinedum’ is a good song that might have benefitted from being left off this album. There will never be enough of the smash hit, ‘Excess Love’ so we will accept this remix which features Youthful Praise. It’s such an amazing song and this writer loves everything from 3:57.

‘Sure Thing’ sounds like a Yemi Alade song in its Igbo Hi-life. ‘No More Pain’ is a worthy album closer that beautifully uses the suffering of Jesus to reaffirm the privilege of man. Satisfied could have done without these last two songs though.

Final Thoughts

While some might criticize the album for its high similarities in creative approach to The Cross: My Gaze, it is saved by the enclave of gospel music in Nigeria which places an emphasis on sound, substance and resonance over creative approach.

While Mercy Chinwo was simply conveying her spiritual satisfaction from her immersion in the gospel and Christian ways through her music, her listeners contract that satisfaction through her in organic ways. The only veritable critique of this album is that some songs sound similar and they make the album seem too long at 16 songs.

In a streaming world, some of the songs could have been made much shorter. The demography of gospel music lovers is different, but people still have short attention spans.

Nonetheless, most Christians and Mercy Chinwo stans might not mind. This artist is in her essence and it might be hard to see people overly criticize her work. There’s also the part of Mercy Chinwo’s pen, which seems perfectly suited to her career path. That cover art needs work though - it could have been better.

But overall, with an increased potency to her resonant hooks and backing vocals, Satisfied might just produce way more hits than The Cross: My Gaze.

Ratings: /10

• 0-1.9: Flop

• 2.0-3.9: Near fall

• 4.0-5.9: Average

• 6.0-7.9: Victory

• 8.0-10: Champion

Pulse Rating: /10

Tracklist: 1.8/2

Content and Themes: 1.5/2

Production: 1.5/2

Enjoyability and Satisfaction: 1.7/2

Execution: 1.5/2