Wikipedia

Yellow (Brymo album)

Yellow is the seventh studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo, independently released on April 1, 2020.[1] The album explores hedonistic viewpoints and is a departure from the dark themes of his sixth studio album Oṣó. Brymo described Yellow as an album about "love and survival", and said it is an alternative pop and electronic record. The album is a mixture of sentimental ballad, trap, sophisti-pop, shoegaze, rock, synth-pop and folk. Nigerian singer Lindsey Abudei is the only artist to be featured on the album. Yellow was initially intended to have 17 songs but due to technical issues, two songs were omitted from the project.[2] The album was supported by the single "Strippers + White Lines", and was nominated for Best Alternative Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2020.

Yellow
Studio album by
Brymo
ReleasedApril 1, 2020
Genre
Length47:00
LabelIndependent
Producer
Brymo chronology
Live! at Terra Kulture Arena
(2019) 		Yellow
(2020) 		Libel
(2020)
Singles from Yellow
  1. "Strippers + White Lines"
    Released: March 31, 2020

Background edit

Yellow explores hedonistic viewpoints and is a departure from the dark themes deployed on Brymo's previous studio album Oṣó. Brymo began recording Yellow in April 2018 and completed it within 16 months. He said he recorded Yellow after becoming a different person from who he used to be.[3] Brymo unveiled the album's cover art and track list in March 2020.[4] He described Yellow as an album about "love and survival", and said it would be an alternative pop and electronic record.[5] Its cover art is a rendition of Insight and Frustrations 2020, a painting by Nigerian artist Samuel Olowomeye Ancestor,[6] whose melancholic painting depicts an eerie, half-faced female with a lit cigar in her mouth.[7] Brymo said on Instagram he was drawn to the painting after having several conversations with his friends.[6]

With the exception of "Abụ Ya", which Nsikak David and Lindsey Abudei co-produced, Yellow was produced and engineered by Brymo's frequent collaborator Mikky Me Joses.[8] The album explores topics such as love, heartbreak, socio-politics, mental health, betrayal and ego.[8][7] Yellow spans three sides and initially included seventeen tracks, six of which were recorded in English, five in Nigerian Pidgin, five in Yoruba and one in Igbo.[9] The album's three sides were numbered in Arabic, Roman and English numerals, respectively.[4] On March 24, Brymo cited technical reasons for omitting the tracks "Iya Awele" and "Ife" from the album.[10]

Composition edit

Yellow is a sentimental ballad, trap, alternative pop, sophisti-pop, shoegaze, rock, synth-pop and folk album.[8] On the album's opening track "Espirit De Corps", Brymo examines the socio-politics of a decaying society; the song's production features a trap beat.[11] "Blackmail" addresses the risks emotional blackmail presents to relationships; the song contains drums and guitar solos that are commonly used in smooth jazz and soft rock.[11] "Ozymandias" is about a man who takes a woman's without reciprocating; the song is a tale of self-criticism and self-awareness.[11] In the baroque pop track "Heartbreak Songs are Better in English", Brymo sings about his wish to emotively express his heartbreak despite his society's taboo against it.[11] The sentimental ballad "Strippers + White Lines" is symbolic of mental slavery.[11] In the ballad "Without You", Brymo sings about the problematic relationship between a man and a woman who refuse to live without each other despite acknowledging their own flaws.[11]

The neo-soul track "Woman" is dedicated to Brymo's unnamed partner, and includes drums and a bass riff. In "Black Man, Black Woman", Brymo discusses the advantages and disadvantages of gender roles and social norms.[7] The pop-infused, soul and blues track "Gambu" depicts a woman's love for an imperfect man with a reputation.[11] "Rara Rira" is an alternative pop song with a folk percussion; it describes carefree people who enjoy life and live on the edge.[11] The pop song "Brain Gain", which is reminiscent of songs by Gabriella Cilmi and Duffy, includes a trumpet solo and addresses topics such as immigration.[11][7] "Ọ̀run n Móoru" (Yoruba: "Heaven is Heated") is a ballad that criticizes gossip among chiefs and kings. In "A F'èédú Fan'ná", Brymo makes references to his grandmother and implants a proverbial fire in listeners' minds.[11] The acoustic track "Abụ Ya", which translates to "his/her hymn", is about the difficult relationship between Brymo and his lover.[7]

Singles edit

The album's lead single "Strippers + White Lines" was released on April 1, 2020.[12] Mikky Me Joses produced the track, which is a mixture of R&B, alternative music and sentimental ballad.[12] "Strippers + White Lines" discusses life's struggles, depression and hope.[12] Promise Charles filmed the song's accompanying music video for In Touch Films.[13]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pulse Nigeria9.7/10[11]

Yellow received positive critical acclaim from critics. Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake awarded the album a rating of 9.7 out of 10, commending Brymo for using "symbolism and metaphor to breakdown his topics".[11] Alake also notes the album is "built on resonant topics cut from the larger society".[11] Reviewing for BellaNaija, Notiki Bello called Yellow "robust and rigorous", and described it as a "well-written book of fiction that is sung without the tedious effort of thumbing through hundreds of pages".[14] Iyke Bede of newspaper This Day commended Yellow for being "a testament of years of continued honing of craft and sheer consistency, and not just another album".[7] Bede also said the album's tracks can "fit snugly into any of Brymo's past albums without one noticing any seismic shift in sound".[7]

Wrting for the The Lagos Review, Joy Dennis called the album a "masterpiece" and said it "details the musings of its creator, about love, psychology, the African society, and the black man".[15] The Nigerian Tribune writer Kola Muhammed praised Brymo's bilingual approach and commended him for "swathing his message with wit and metaphysical conceits".[16] In a less enthusiastic review, Dami Ajayi said Yellow "pales behind his last three studio albums" despite it "pushing his craft in new directions"; Ajayi was also critical of side A.[17] Toni Kan criticized Brymo for "producing an album with something for everyone".[18]

Yellow was nominated for Best Alternative Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2020.[19] Brymo also won Best Recording of the Year for "Ozymandias" at the ceremony.[20]

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ, except for "Abụ Ya"

Side A
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Espirt De Corps"Mikky Me Joses2:43
2."Blackmail"Mikky Me Joses3:38
3."Ozymandias"Mikky Me Joses2:17
4."Heartbreak Songs are Better in English"Mikky Me Joses3:53
5."Strippers + White Lines / Smart Monkey"Mikky Me Joses4:24
6."Without You"Mikky Me Joses4:07
Side B
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Woman"Mikky Me Joses2:50
2."Black Man, Black Woman"Mikky Me Joses3:41
3."Gambu"Mikky Me Joses2:36
4."Rara Rira"Mikky Me Joses3:24
5."Brain Gain"Mikky Me Joses2:08
Side C
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Adédọ̀tun"Mikky Me Joses2:56
2."Ọ̀run n Móoru"Mikky Me Joses2:29
3."A F'èédú Fan'ná"Mikky Me Joses3:32
4."Abụ Ya" (featuring Lindsey Abudei)
  • Nsikak David
  • Lindsey Abudei
2:54
Total length:47:00

Personnel edit

Credits adapted from the album's back cover.[4][14]

  • Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ – primary artist, writer, performer
  • Lindsey Abudei – featured artist, writer, production ("Abụ Ya")
  • Mikky Me Joses – production, engineering (all tracks except "Abụ Ya")
  • Nsikak David – production ("Abụ Ya")

Release history edit

Release formats for Yellow
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various April 1, 2020 CD, Digital download Independent
[21]

References edit

  1. ^ Motolani Alake (March 1, 2020). "Brymo releases tracklist for new album 'Yellow'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  2. ^ Olabimpe O (March 24, 2020). "Brymo Announces Removal Of Two Songs From Forthcoming Album "Yellow"". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. ^ Joey Akan (6 April 2020). "Isolation with Brymo: Nigeria's Mad Music Scientist". The Nigerian Voice. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Olabimpe O (March 19, 2020). "Brymo Unveils Tracklist For Forthcoming Album "Yellow"". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Happiness is Coming in April! Brymo is Finally Dropping New Album "Yellow"". BellaNaija. March 2, 2020. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  6. ^ a b Garnish M (March 15, 2020). "Brymo Unveils Album Cover for "Yellow"". Jaguda. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Iyke Bede (April 10, 2020). "Brymo Got it Right on Yellow". This Day. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Motolani Alake (1 April 2020). "Brymo releases 15-track 7th studio album, 'Yellow'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Brymo unveils Artwork for his forthcoming album". The Lagos Review. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  10. ^ Olabimpe O (Mar 24, 2020). "Brymo Announces Removal Of Two Songs From Forthcoming Album "Yellow"". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Motolani Alake (April 3, 2020). "On 'Yellow,' Brymo examines life, love, society and scenarios in three parts [Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  12. ^ a b c Motolani Alake (1 April 2020). "Brymo releases new single, 'Strippers + White Lines'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 3 April 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Brymo premiers visuals for Strippers + White Line". P.M. News. April 1, 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  14. ^ a b Notiki Bello (April 8, 2020). "Notiki Bello: Let's Talk About Brymo's Latest Project – 'Yellow'". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  15. ^ Dennis, Joy (April 12, 2024). ""Yellow" is Brymo's best work, thus far – Joy Dennis". The Lagos Review. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  16. ^ Muhammed, Kola (May 10, 2020). "Album Review: Brymo's 'Yellow' Stake For Musical Greatness". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  17. ^ Dami Ajayi (April 23, 2020). "Annotations on Brymo's "Yellow' – Dami Ajayi". The Lagos Review. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  18. ^ Toni Kan (April 23, 2020). "Brymo in global push with 6th studio album, "Yellow" – Toni Kan". The Lagos Review. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  19. ^ Motolani Alake (December 4, 2020). "Fireboy, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido lead 2020 Headies nominations [Pulse Exclusive]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Live Update: All the winners at the Headies 2020". Guardian Life. 21 February 2021. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Yellow by Brymo". Apple Music. 1 April 2020. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
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