Realms (EP)

Realms
EP by
Wande Coal
Released11 September 2020
Genre
Length22:00
Label
Producer
  • Sarz
  • Melvitto
  • Lekka Beatz
  • Dapiano
  • Screwface
  • The Sharpshutaz
  • Pheelz
Wande Coal chronology
Wanted
(2015) 		Realms
(2020) 		Legend or No Legend
(2023)
Singles from Realms
  1. "Vex"
    Released: 31 October 2019
  2. "Ode Lo Like"
    Released: 12 December 2019
  3. "Again"
    Released: 6 February 2020
  4. "Naughty Girl"
    Released: 26 June 2020

Realms is the first EP by Nigerian singer Wande Coal. It was released on 11 September 2020, through Starstruck Management and Empire Distribution. Following up to his second studio album, Wanted (2015), it features guest appearances from rapper Wale and producer Sarz. Production was handled by Sarz, Melvitto, Lekka Beatz, Dapiano, Screwface, The Sharpshutaz, and Pheelz.

Background

Realms marked Wande Coal's third project in five years, after the release of Wanted (2015). Wande Coal announced the release of Realms on 14 December 2019, where the EP was teased to drop on 6 March 2020, after Wande signed with Empire Distribution.[2][3] Later, on 8 September 2020, it was eventually revealed, via his Twitter account, that Realms would be released within less than 48 hours, just for it to release on 11 September 2020.[4]

Singles

The EP's lead single "Vex" was released on 31 October 2019, and features production from Sarz and Screwface. Sarz is also credited to be featured on the track.[5] The second single "Ode Lo Like" was released on 12 December 2019, and was produced by Dapiano and Screwface.[6] The Melvitto and Screwface-produced third single off the EP, "Again," was released on 6 February 2020.[7] The fourth and final single "Naughty Girl" was released on 26 June 2020. It was produced by Pheelz.[8]

Critical reception

Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria critiqued Wande Coal's Realms EP as "a lesson in what shouldn't be done" for a veteran artist, highlighting its lack of fresh material and strategic overemphasis on previously released singles. Alake noted that while Wande Coal's talent remains evident, the EP's approach felt "lazy" and prioritizes streaming metrics over artistic impact. He rated the EP a 3.5/10, categorizing it as a "near fall."[9]

Tami Makinde of The Native described Realms as a satisfying, familiar collection that showcases Wande Coal's mastery of melody, despite its lack of artistic boldness. Makinde noted, "Wande Coal is and will always be a certified hitmaker," but felt the EP didn't push boundaries, instead offering infectious tunes like "Naughty Girl" and "Ode Lo Like" that fit comfortably in Coal's catalog. The review highlights that Realms doesn't aim for grand statements, yet effectively captures the "good feeling" fans expect.[10]

Track listing

All tracks written by Oluwatobi "Wande Coal" Ojosipe.

Realms track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Again"
  • Melvitto
  • Screwface
2:36
2."Check"
  • Lekaa Beats
  • Screwface[b]
3:30
3."Naughty Girl"Pheelz2:45
4."Ode Lo Like"
  • Dapiano
  • Screwface
3:21
5."Ever Blazin"The Sharpshutaz3:16
6."Vex" (featuring Sarz)
  • Sarz
  • Screwface
3:30
7."Again" (remix; featuring Wale)The Sharpshutaz3:11
Total length:22:00

Notes

  • ^[b] signifies a co-producer

Personnel

Release history

Release history and formats for Realms
Region Date Format Label
Various 11 September 2020

References

  1. ^ Alake, Motolani (11 September 2020). "Wande Coal releases new 7-track EP, 'Realms'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  2. ^ Bamidele, Michael (14 December 2019). "Wande Coal Set To Release New EP "Realms"". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  3. ^ Alake, Motolani (6 February 2020). "Wande Coal to release new EP, 'Realms' in March". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  4. ^ Okanlawon, Taiwo (8 September 2020). "Wande Coal to drop new EP, Realms". P.M. News. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  5. ^ Alake, Motolani (31 October 2019). "Wande Coal features Sarz on new single, 'Vex'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  6. ^ Leight, Elias (12 December 2019). "Wande Coal Previews 'Realms' EP With Brassy 'Ode Lo Like'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  7. ^ Durosomo, Damola (6 February 2020). "Listen to Wande Coal's New Single 'Again'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  8. ^ Ade Peter, Dennis (25 June 2020). "NATIVE Premiere: Listen to Wande Coal's latest single, "Naughty Girl"". The Native. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  9. ^ Alake, Motolani (17 September 2020). "Wande Coal's 'Realms' is a lazy attempt at a body of work [EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  10. ^ Makinde, Tami (11 September 2020). "A 1-Listen review of Wande Coal's 'Realms'". The Native. Retrieved 13 November 2024.