Akin Busari resolves to live on his terms in 'Free Me'

His latest album 'Free Me' is an impressive fusion of multiple genres to achieve a rich sound that appeals to the demands of different listeners without losing his identity. 

Without bowing to the pressure of crafting music that appeals to the urgent and fleeting sensibilities of consumers, Akin was able to focus on creating a body of work with tracks that can endure beyond whatever currently shapes the soundscape. 

On 'Free Me', the Canadian-based Nigerian star explores the subject of love and desires while also tapping into more personal and conscious subjects that offer listeners a rich variety of sounds across its 36 minutes run time. 

The opener 'One Time', is a smooth exploration of Afro-Swing as Akin employs laid-back melodies with mid-tempo delivery. Through a combination of pidgin and English, Akin talks up himself as a man hotly in demand while employing a sprinkling of vulgarity that blends into the Dancehall adlibs. 

He scores one of the best tracks on the album with the Amapiano cut 'Phenomenal' where he reiterated his desires for a temptress through smooth melodies and Fiokee's captivating strings that brilliantly combine with a Fela interpolation.Verses from Victony and BNXN will do a lot for this record. 

On 'Ife Re', Akin features the sensational songstress Aramide on an Afropop record where the duo duets on an expression of consuming love. The collaboration works as both artists complement each other. The verses were also perfectly arranged and the chorus elevates the record. 

The album picks off tempo on the fourth track with 'Diamond Are Nothing' where Log drums combine with an exploration of Yoruba folk music and an interesting sprinkling of Hausa. The bumbling log drums and catchy melody combine to make this track a hit in the waiting, especially in the North where it already carries familiar elements in language and theme.

If Akin shined on his duet with Aramide, he repeated that feat in 'Feelings' where he showcases heavy Western influences on a Pop record that's elevated by Nikky B's presence. 

Akin enjoys wearing his heart on his sleeve and on 'Lost', he talks about unrequited love on a track that sees him show his range while adding sonic variety and depth to the album. If there's something that stands out on this record, it's the impressive songwriting that allows Akin to paint a picture. 

On the listeners' favorite 'Free Me', Akin employs a Dancehall bounce that's reminiscent of Gyptian's 'Hold Yuh' as he demands to be allowed to live life as he fancies. Whether as a lover, a smooth-talking music star, or just as an everyday guy, Akin wishes to live on his terms. He takes the record to the Caribbean through Imeru Tafari's verse that adds the patois and sting required to help it scale. 

He continues his exploration of Amapiano in 'Figure 8' where he effortlessly molds melody and employs quintessential Afrobeats delivery, and familiar writing to deliberate a record that extols the feminine curves. 

While Akin explores love and desires through Afropop, Swing, and Amapiano tunes in the first half of the album, he explores his rich African sounds in the second half as he explores more conscious subjects. 

A Yoruba man, Akin Busari taps into his roots in 'Mama I Love You' where he delivers an eulogy to mothers. Through a combination of Folk music apparent in his melody and the Oriki, and a blend of Highlife through the horns, Akin delivers an impressive rendition that again, shows range while providing artistic depth and variety. 

His local exploration continues in 'Africa' where he combines Folk and R&B as a tribute to the continent as he joined other great artists to call for unity in the black continent. 

The Oriki plays a profound role in 'Story for the Gods' where Akin discusses the ills of bad governance that continues to plague Nigeria. 

And it's on this conscious note that Akin turns to Yoruba Paleontology to share his resolution to keep forging ahead while invoking the universe to favour him. This Highlife record sums up Akin's abilities as he delivers impressive writing, stimulating melodies, and musicality through an orchestra backup and a sampling of the lines of the great King Sunny Ade. 

Overall, in 'Free Me,' Akin resolves to live on his terms as he crafts an album that suits his essence. 

The album achieves both sonic and thematic coherence while also offering Pop appeal and artistic depth. And although the mainstream is yet to discover 'Free Me', gems like this can't stay hidden for long. 

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

Album Sequencing: 1.6/2

Songriting, Themes, and Delivery: 1.6/2

Production: 1.5/2

Enjoyability and Satisfaction: 1.5/2

Execution: 1.5/2

Total: 7.7 - Victory