Dutty Love leans into the complexities of toxic love and modern relationships, but they’re conveyed with an ease that keeps the EP grounded.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
When Fave graced two tracks on Olamide’s genre-fluid opus UY Scuti in 2021, she was still something of an enigma to the larger Afro-Pop audience. There were whispers online about the girl with the lush tone and dexterous pen, but she wasn’t yet a household name.
Even then, her artistry had begun quietly carving out a loyal following — a tribe of listeners spellbound with her emotive delivery and textured soundscapes. These were the same ears that have championed her ascent since she first tiptoed onto the scene at just 18, right up to the release of her new sophomore EP, Dutty Love.
By the time UY Scuti rolled out, Fave had already released “Beautifully” a month earlier, a poignant love ballad that initially slept in the shadows before the mainstream finally caught up to its brilliance.
But her first coronation into Afro-Pop’s mainstream palace truly came with “Baby Riddim” in 2021, that sticky, groove-laden anthem which, by 2022, had turned into an undeniable zeitgeist moment.
In the years since, Fave has remained steadfast, churning out high-quality records that have only further solidified her place in the ever-expanding Afro-Pop cosmos. She released her debut EP, Riddim 5, in 2022, and her collaboration with Davido on the Caribbean-inspired Afro-Pop song “Kante” from his 2023 album, Timeless, reflected her versatility.
By 2024, she was firmly in her element. Three carefully released singles this year revealed her uncanny ability to shift between sonic palettes while keeping her audience enraptured. With each release, the calls for a full-length project grew louder.
Then, on November 7, she released her sophomore seven-track EP, Dutty Love, strikingly free of guest features, which also brings together the three pre-released tracks alongside a selection of new material that expands her artistic narrative.
Distilling her sound to the core, the EP opens with the title track, “Dutty Love Song”, a raving song that cuts through with an EDM stinger. The beat kicks in heavily with log drums, and then it gets heated with Fave’s chant.
When she sings, “When you said you love me, I was foolish in love with you”, the raw emotion is palpable. Her voice carries the weight of vulnerability as she bares her soul under the strain of deceptive love.
On the Daime-produced “Complicated”, she effortlessly glides over bouncy Caribbean Pop rhythms to deliver melodies that harken back to her delivery on “Kante” with Davido—another Daime-crafted song.
The production brims with a breezy yet emotive energy that provides the perfect canvas for her candid storytelling. With unflinching clarity, she unpacks the frustration of navigating an undefined relationship, all while keeping the groove irresistibly infectious.
The pre-released “Controlla” is another log-drum-powered track that highlights Fave’s knack for pairing minimalist production with deeply evocative lyricism. The infectious bounce in the rhythm, thanks to Niphkeys’ deft touch of log-drums, adds an irresistible energy to the track.
The opening line, “I can see you like it / Your control on my body like a psychic”, immediately draws listeners into the song’s sultry and sensual narrative, while the standout lyric, “Aṣakẹ baby, never see you coming”, is a clever nod to Asake’s “They never see me coming” line from “Bandana” with Fireboy DML.
Standing on the motif of toxic love, Dutty Love’s slow-burning R&B track “Juju” takes us into a different form of affection. Love can be intoxicating, and at times, it feels like you’re under the spell of an external force pulling you in, even when the other person doesn’t put in the effort.
Fave explores this kind of love where affection feels like a charm—seductive and uncontrollable—with a vocal delivery that is laced with vulnerability.
In “No Games,” Fave delivers a raw and unapologetic declaration of love with emotional depth. The track pulls listeners into a space of intense desire, where Fave’s confidence shines through as she promises, “I’m goated, I’m all that you need”.
She draws the sonic curtain with the Axon-produced, “Belong To You”, a fusion of R&B and Drill that navigates the complex terrain of love and its tribulations. Layering smooth, emotive melodies over a gritty Drill beat, and as the song builds, a sleazy electric guitar sneaks in towards the end and lingers long after the last note fades.
Like any young Afro-Pop artiste drawing from the rich creative currents around her, she pulls from a diverse range of influences. Her sultry R&B is laced with subtle nods to Dancehall, Afro-Pop, and Afrobeats, crafting a sound that feels both familiar and refreshing. Dutty Love leans into the complexities of toxic love and modern relationships, but they’re conveyed with an ease that keeps the EP grounded.
Fave isn’t about loud declarations or dramatic flair; she embodies a soft, introspective power—the quiet after the storm. While the sentimentality of the project may occasionally feel intense, Dutty Love, at its core, is a celebration of the simple, raw, and earnest moments of affection.
Dutty Love doesn’t aim for grand escapism. Instead, Fave stays connected to reality, sincerely exploring the messy, multifaceted nature of love. It’s a reflection on the highs and lows, the joy and heartbreak, all wrapped up in a sound that’s both relatable and captivating.
Lyricism – 2.0
Tracklisting – 1.0
Sound Engineering – 1.5
Vocalisation – 1.0
Listening Experience – 1.0
Rating – 6.5/10
Abioye Damilare is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment Industry. Reading new publications and listening to music are two of his favourite pastimes when he is not writing. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle