Since breaking into the mainstream in 2024 with the viral single Alone, Fola has been a refreshing presence in the Nigerian music scene. While the silky vocals and honest songwriting embedded in his music endeared him to the audience, his natural charisma and compelling aura solidified his appeal.
His debut EP, What A Feeling, was an emphatic confirmation of his undeniable talent and immense potential. His ability to craft emotive records that everyday people can relate to, and the ease with which his music connects to the average listener, has made him a fan favourite in a relatively short period of time.
After the success of Alone, Fola stamped his presence on the scene with hits like Who Does That alongside label boss Bella Shmurda, Get Better with Zlatan, Very Soon with Bnxn, Lost with Kizz Daniel and One Condition with DJ Tunez and Wizkid.
In a strategic move to capitalise on his successful breakout year, the 24-year-old star has released his debut album, Catharsis. Housing only 11 songs with a runtime of 28 minutes, Fola offers more of the same music that has propelled him to stardom.
His partnership with global music powerhouse Empire offers him access to A-list acts like Young Jonn, Kizz Daniel, Victony and Gabzy, while the talented hands of SB, Kel-P, LOL, Damie, Shallythechampion, Hoodini, Jhay2unez, Drekiss, Promise the guitarist and more architect the sonic environment where he delivers.
Fola’s music uses R&B’s emotive core as a foundation. The high relatability in his music is partly due to the way his music bridges R&B, Soul, Pop and Street music; but the expressiveness and vividness that characterise his songwriting as well as the richness of his melodies and honesty in his delivery, further enhance the emotional resonance of his music.
On Lost, he combines with one of Nigeria’s most prolific hitmakers, Kizz Daniel, to capture the struggle of navigating love and companionship in a world where finance dictates the sweetness of relationships. This is after delivering a passionate promise of loyalty in love, even when faced with betrayal on the opening record, Gokada. Built on emotionally intense piano chords and guitar riffs, the record sets the tone of the album.
Golibe is a heartwarming Afropop duet between Fola and Victony. Fola’s affectionate lyrics, carried by his soothing melodies, are complemented by Victony’s dreamy vocals. He pours his heart out to his lover on You, sharing the mesmerising effects of her charm and sweetness on him.
Healer and Cruise control echo the emotions and vulnerability of You, as he paints pictures of affection, intimacy, and desire. On the former, he pleads for just one more minute to savour the magic of their lov,e while the chorus of the latter is anchored by tender repetitions of I love you die. On the slow-burning Caricature, he pleads for connection while navigating distance. And you light up my day, from faraway, he sings.
Robbery is steeped in smooth R&B guitars, distilling the chaos of today’s relationships into an undeniably great song. “Let me keep it real with you / I think you’re stubborn and selfish,” Gabzy sings, calling out his lover’s selfishness and miscommunication while Fola provides contrast, expressing commitment despite the strain. Gabzy’s subdued delivery emphasises the frustration in his lyrics while the airy groove and sparse instrumentation give the record a melancholic edge. It’s the best song on the album.
Eko and Disco featuring Young Jonn adopt Amapiano’s log drums. The latter follows the familiar tropes that run through much of the album, while the former is about the relentless pursuit of success in a city that lives by the mantra ‘go home or go harder.’
Across 11 songs, Fola sticks to the elements that brought him to the dance, ignoring any thoughts of diversity and variety. His approach to this album is similar to Ayo Maff’s approach to his debut album, Prince of the Streets, released earlier in the year. On both albums, both artists opt for emotional resonance other than sonic diversity, maintaining similar delivery, tone and pace across the album’s length.
Fola’s Catharsis doesn’t step outside the R&B soundscape where he shines, and the familiarity in his delivery impacts the utility of records like Eko, Disco, and It’s Going. Regardless, the album’s seamless flow, polished curation, rich melodies and potent songwriting combine effectively to give the listener a satisfying listening experience.
At 28 minutes, the album is concise, straightforward and high in replay value. And with rumours of a deluxe already gaining momentum on the internet, Fola has more than enough time to venture outside of his comfort zone and become the truly great artist that his talent promises he can be.
Catharsis isn’t the kind of grand entrance we saw with Asake’s Mr Money With The Vibe or Fireboy DML’s Laughter Tears and Goosebumps. This album is a clear stamp in the incredible moment Fola is having, a breakout year that would be remembered fondly in history. It marks its place in the present while indicating great things to come. Fola is going to be around for a long time, and by the looks of things, it’s going to be a good time.
