One of the lodestars turning Afrobeats into an international phenomenon, Nigerian supernova David Adedeji Adeleke isn’t as famous in the UK as Burna Boy, Wizkid or Rema – he’s yet to have a hit such as Last Last, One Dance or Calm Down. Also, as his fifth album hints, his appeal may simply not be as global as theirs.
Davido’s albums (always 17 tracks) deal in the sort of subtle, luxurious beats that you’d hear anywhere from beachside bars to barbershops. At its best, 5ive is a decent sequel to 2023’s Timeless, which marked the apotheosis of Afropop’s ability to stealthily subsume elements of other genres into its wonderfully delicate, shuffling rhythms, creating something sui generis yet instantly comprehensible.
Be There Still has a sticky chorus, and the Chic-ish guitar on With You nods towards a diversion into disco. Davido sings well – Don’t Know shows off his yearning side; Anything swaddles a motivational anthem in soft harmonies. There isn’t too much to excite beyond that though. The opening poem is pompous and annoying, while the album’s baggy middle is often windy, repetitive and unambitious. A sharper, shorter collection would be better.
Source: theguardian.com
