Love Lust sees Funbi deeply introspective, as he lays his emotions bare. He unburdens himself with each track, dealing with the nuances of love and desire through exquisite songwriting and vocal delivery.
By Emmanuel Okoro
The year is 2012, and African rap messiah, MI Abaga, had just released the Illegal Music 2 mixtape, packed with hard-hitting tracks and introducing a wave of emerging talents. One such talent on it was R&B and Alternative singer and songwriter, Funbi, who, a teenager at the time, lent his vocals on “Beg For It” — a personal favourite. I can’t remember where I was four years later when he released his breakout debut single, “Hallelujah”. However, my mistake was alluding he had pivoted to become a gospel act. Beyond its dead giveaway title, the song was laden with the most novel soul-stirring vocals only matched by excellent lyricism and production. It wasn’t until his feature on Show Dem Camp’s “Up To You” in 2017, and his debut EP, Serenade, released in 2018, that I realised that his stock in trade was captivating audiences with his vocal prowess, while serving up R&B, Afro-Funk, and Alternative records. After a hiatus due to a personal tragedy, Funbi is back on the music scene with Love Lust, an EP that fuses traditional and urban elements in an immersive manner. This time, however, Funbi walks a solitary path. The lone figure gracing the album cover reflects the introspective nature of the music.
The project begins with the lead single, “Distance”, produced by long-time collaborator, Spax, who singlehandedly produced most of the songs on the EP. The track carries the essence of Palmwine music, characterised by its mid-tempo groove, intricate basslines, soft piano chords, and layered drum kicks. Funbi dives into the complexities of a rocky relationship, where his love interest questions his place in her life. Lines such as “Questions on your mind like what do I mean to you?/ Are you the centre of my galaxy or a comet passing through?” encapsulate the tension brewing between the two. However, the singer seems to be partially noncommittal, as he implores her not to distance herself from him. The song ends with a recording of the love interest reinforcing her stance on the matter, expressing her desire for clarity in their relationship. “Distance” is a window into situationships, a union built on vibes and fleeting moments of intimacy. It is a perfect opening to Love Lust.
Acoustic guitar strums accompanied by the soothing sounds of chirping birds usher in “One Call”, another song that adopts a mid-tempo groove. Here, the singer somewhat deals with the fact that his love interest may be slipping away from his grasp. He struggles to make sense of it but reassures her he’s just a call away, placing the ball again in her court. However, the song carries a subtle undercurrent of devotion and commitment in his words.
Love Lust experiences a sonic shift with the next number, “Set Me Free”; delicate plucks of lead and bass guitars intertwined with mild drum kicks. This arrangement creates a serene backdrop for his introspective exploration of his relationship. Here, Funbi acknowledges the significance of the love interest in his life, praising her for all she does for him. He notes that he may be inadequate in some parts, with lines like “All I wanna do is make you proud/ I just wanna get up on my feet and life’s trying to bring me down/ But if you go dey beside me, it wouldn’t be so bad”. Despite his love and appreciation, Funbi acknowledges the possibility of losing himself in the relationship and thus offers a plea that his lover set him free if he ever strays too far. The additional background vocals of Tim Lyre, Dami Oniru, and Remmy Baggins make this track an earworm.
As the eponymous track “Love Lust” slides in, Funbi maintains the tradition of blessing a track with the same title as his EPs. Yet, this time, he takes the opportunity to reintroduce himself and bare it all to his lover. From the very first notes, the atmosphere is charged with intimacy, as he struggles to navigate the push and pull between deep affection and a fleeting passionate yearning.
Intimacy requires consent, and on the Alte track, “All Good”, assisted by Kenyan singer and songwriter, Karun, both acts explore intimate moments spent in each other’s arms, underpinned by mutual approval. Funbi takes the first watch, with his soulful vocals and emotive lyrics providing a solid foundation for the theme. Karun also holds her own weight, and her contribution – however short – injects a dose of dynamism into the track. Their match seems to be made from heaven, as they seamlessly intertwine, making “All Good” a standout on the project.
The project winds down with “Lead Me On”, which finds him fighting with his inner demons and external pressures, and a need for someone to hold him. He is not only vulnerable but also deals with emotional turmoil with lines like “Tell me you know what it is to be, to be against the wall/ I don’t want to deal with this pressure without you”. However, amidst his struggles, Funbi finds himself questioning the intentions of a lady in his life who appears to be leading him on without any intention of reciprocating his feelings. It’s a moment of frustration and confusion, as he examines his own emotions with the reality of the situation. The EP ends with “Muse”, ushered in by sax strings followed by bass guitar runs. Here, Funbi delivers an enchanting ode to his love interest, reminiscing on their playful moments with a sense of nostalgia and affection.
Love Lust sees Funbi deeply introspective, as he lays his emotions bare. He unburdens himself, through each track, dealing with the nuances of love and romantic connections through excellent songwriting. The production seems to mirror the thoughts and themes explored, which makes for a harmonious listening experience. However, there’s a noticeable mixing problem, where his vocals appear to be buried in the instrumentation. If there’s one thing this project has managed to prove, it is that the EP was completely worth the wait. I can only hope that Funbi works towards releasing a full-length debut album, cementing his status in the music scene.
Lyricism – 2
Tracklisting – 1.3
Sound Engineering –1.5
Vocalisation – 1.7
Listening Experience – 1.4
Rating – 7.9/10
Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro is a content writer and journo with an insatiable knack for music and pop culture. When he’s not writing, you will find him arguing why Arsenal FC is the best football club in the multiverse. Connect with him on X, Instagram, and Threads: @BughiLorde.