- Fireboy DML’s fourth studio album ‘Adedamola’ was released on August 29
- The album featured music legend Lagbaja, Lojay and Seun Kuti to create a nostalgic masterpiece
- The 14-track album explored themes of self-discovery, nostalgia, love and life.
Soothing vocals, clever wordplay and versatile exploration of Afrobeats, R&B, Folk and contemporary pop sounds—Fireboy DML has them all.
What more could listeners ask for? Fireboy through his four-album run has showcased his remarkable growth as an artiste.
His latest music project, Adedamola, an eponymous album named after his legal name, released on August 29, further amplifies that testament.
From his third album, Playboy (2022), Fireboy DML explored a laid-back and fun-inspired approach to his music. This was a shift from his intentionality in Apollo (2020) and Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps (2019).
For me, it was a bit disappointing particularly as Playboy was deprived of his famous songwriting flair. This is not to say Playboy was a failure but it was more of, “Fireboy could do better than this”.
Adedamola, his fourth studio album seems worthy as a compensation for that deprivation. The production, songwriting and intentionality behind the album speak volume.
Reviewing Fireboy DML’s ‘Adedamola’ eponymous album
‘Iseoluwa’ is a powerful opening for a nostalgic album as Adedamola that sets the tone for listeners. Fireboy's vocals shine over a soulful melody, blending introspective lyrics with a rhythmic beat. It explores gratitude to God and his miraculous works. On Call Me, Fireboy leaves listeners immersed in the catchy and uptempo sound, alongside a laid-back vibe.
Featuring the youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti on Ecstacy, the duo flowed on the soft mid-tempo track that evokes sexual images, “but eventually, I want you sexually”, he says. Seun Kuti’s saxophone adds a subtle yet vibrant energy to make it memorable.
Hell and Back is introspective. For lack of better words, I’d describe it as a mix of regrets and pain of a lover to express heartbreak. Unlike a usual heartbreak song that should only make you brood, it passes for a happy song too.
Lojay joins Fireboy on the smooth R&B-infused song Letting Go. It highlights the struggle of moving on from past relationships and why it is best to do so. Lojay’s complimentary vocals enhance the track’s emotional depth and songwriting.
From the time of his Never Far Away classic, Lagbaja’s legendary approach to music is one that is not only nostalgic but timeless. Bringing back the music legend on Back N Forth, Fireboy delivers a blend of traditional African rhythms with contemporary beats.
Honouring one of his icons, Wande Coal, Wande Bop, which shares a similar beat with E Choke is a dance floor bouncy track with an infectious hook. The jazz-inspired track, Ready with Grammy Winner Jon Batiste is also commendable.
Finals thoughts on Fireboy’s ‘Adedamola’ album
I can’t help but commend the intentionality to give fans the opportunity to experience the ‘Fireboy’ they knew from his debut days. Only this time, his growth and versatility are quite evident in his choice of collaboration, sounds and songwriting.
What leaves questions for me, however, is the 14th track, Jon’s interlude. The short but sonorous instrumental piece created a reflective pause at the end of the album. Usually, interludes come in the middle but the placement of this at the end of the album raises questions.
Is there a continuation to this album with the interlude? Was it a deliberate act to break the artistic rule for interlude? I guess only Fireboy might have the answers.
In all, Adedamola follows a nostalgic route of self-discovery, gratitude, relationships and life experiences on an unskippable blend of African and contemporary sounds. Fireboy is back!
10 things to know about Fireboy's upcoming album, Adedamola
Earlier, TheRadar reported that Nigerian singer and songwriter Adedamola Adefolahan, professionally known as Fireboy DML, announced his upcoming self-titled fourth studio album, ‘Adedamola.’
Fireboy’s album joined the numerous album lineups that had dropped in 2024. It also came a week after his record label colleague, Asake, dropped Lungu Boy.
