Libel is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer Brymo, released independently on November 5, 2020. A follow-up to his seventh studio album Yellow, the EP comprises five tracks and features guest vocals by Deborah Prest. All of the songs on Libel were produced and mastered entirely by Bigfoot. The EP's lyrics address the rape accusations leveled against Brymo by a woman on social media.[1]Libel was supported by the single "Messiah Complexes".[2]
Background
A few weeks after releasing his seventh studio album, Yellow (2020), a woman on Twitter accused Brymo of raping her. He denied the accusations and suggested that an investigation into the allegations was ongoing. He made reference to the accusations on Libel and believed the woman's actions were libelous.[1] Brymo wrote all of the songs on the EP and recruited Bigfoot to produce and master the entire project. Designed by Adey Omotade, the cover art features a pair of women's panties, blood, and a broken glass.[2][3]Libel comprises five tracks and features guest vocals by Deborah Prest.[2]
Composition
Libel is a lo-fi record that explores musical styles such as soft rock and quiet storm.[1] On the album's opening track "Ascendancy", Brymo discusses depression, pain, and musical succor.[4]Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake said the singer was "broken and reeling from pain" as exemplified by lyrics like "So I sing, sing, sing, drown all my pain in the sound. So I breathe, breathe, breathe, the rhythm comes flowing through me".[1] In "Love and Paradoxes", Brymo sings about love and dedicated the record to his wife who helped him overcome the rape accusations.[1] Alake likened the piano chords used in the song's opening sequence to Lana Del Rey's music.[1]
The third track, "Messiah Complexes", is a departure from the "pensive, slow-paced beat" of the album's first two tracks.[4] On the record, Brymo instructs himself to take a moment to reflect and be grateful for his blessings.[4] In the sentimental ballad "Phoenix", Brymo is worryingly defiant but rises like the phoenix.[1] Deborah Prest sings on the EP's closing track, "Time", which talks about loneliness, worries, and the futile passage of time.[4]
Critical reception
Libel received positive reviews from music critics. In a review for YNaija, Kola Muhammed characterized the EP as a "musical diary bearing tales of anguish" and said Brymo "sought to heal himself from the pain of defamation".[4]Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake awarded the EP an 8.2 rating out of 10, acknowledging it for being "largely about Brymo's journey back to life, as aided by love".[1]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ and produced by Bigfoot
