“Smile Until the Devil Cries” is a dazzling work of art, with Juliana Ehada preaching submission and celebrating the impact of God in her life. It’s direct and beautiful to listen to.
By Emmanuel Daraloye
The Nigerian gospel music industry has greatly improved, peaking over the past two years with increased fusion and dynamism from artistes, record makers, producers, and labels. Global and continental records have been broken, and artistes have embarked on tours. They have successfully combined traditional Nigerian gospel with a touch of Western influence.
The production quality of songs is now clearer and more polished, elevating the sound and making the themes more appealing to listeners.
In 2024, Juliana Ehada stands out among her contemporaries, embodying this quality. Her new single, “Smile Until the Devil Cries”, is a stunning work of art—a concise sonic journey with the artiste as the anchor and her audience as passengers. Released on 20 October 2024, the song has been streamed over eight thousand times on Spotify.
Juliana Ehada is a UK-based Nigerian-born gospel singer known for her scintillating vocals and heartfelt worship, which have touched lives and spread the word of God. Her childhood, spent listening to artistes like Tasha Cobbs, Kierra Sheard, CeCe Winans, Maverick City, and Jonathan McReynolds, has greatly influenced her artistry.
Her latest album, Worship the King, released in July 2024, features eight tracks and has been streamed over five thousand times across all major distribution channels.
A shimmering piano opens the “Smile Until the Devil Cries”, followed by basslines, shakers, and other instruments. Ehada sings solo for more than sixty seconds before the choristers join her. Her excitement is palpable, resonating throughout the song as she revels in the moment.
Thematically, the song is joyful, with Ehada openly celebrating her victory over tribulations and everyday challenges. For anyone born in Nigeria, this theme feels familiar.
Though Juliana Ehada’s vocal performance shines, the quality of production is equally striking. It reflects the thoughtfulness and craftsmanship of the production team.
Listening to the song transports you to a church-like setting, merging elements of church and theatre. The lyrics are familiar, yet the raw emotion and expressiveness with which they are delivered take you by surprise. When Ehada stretches her vocals at the three-minute, thirty-five-second mark, it’s a truly captivating moment—wonderful to listen to.
The piano is the most prominent instrument in this song. It permeates the track, enlivening Juliana Ehada’s performance and showcasing her creative flair. For someone who has been singing professionally for over five years, this is both fun and impressive to hear.
“Smile Until the Devil Cries” is a dazzling work of art, with Ehada preaching submission and celebrating the impact of God in her life. It’s direct and beautiful to listen to.
Listed twice by “Black Pride Magazine” as one of the top 5 Music Journalists in Nigeria, Emmanuel Daraloye has over 600 album reviews in his archive.