Love, Damini; A Valediction to Burna Boy’s Vulnerability.

Who dares drop a 19-track Afro themed album in 2022?  None other than the ‘Odogwu’ himself, Burna Boy. After claiming he was done dropping albums due to the success of his magnum opus ‘Twice As Tall,’ the Afro-Fusion artiste on the 8th of July, 2022, released his 7th studio album, ‘Love, Damini.’ With the anticipation built from the success of the two lead singles ‘Kilometre’ and ‘Last Last,’ much was expected of this album. Here’s a breakdown to see if it has lived up to expectations.

‘Glory’ is a perfect start to a project of this caliber, why? At the start of a letter to a loved one, it is customary to get pleasantries out of the way and reflect on a few past occurrences; which is exactly what Burna Boy did on this record. Being one of his vulnerable records, he talks about his life growing up in Port Harcourt, the time he lost his very close friend and the unfortunate incident he got into while in the UK that got him shipped back to Nigeria. It is important to note how the use of the violin melodies properly conveys the emotions that need to be felt.

Enough of the mushy stuff, can we move to the jams already? Yes! It’s safe to say Burna Boy at this point had observed and found out what a certain mystery woman’s beauty does to him. I’m not reaching when I say this might be the reason why track 2 is called ‘Science’? That mimicked siren sound made a lot of sense. It wouldn’t have been bad to hear it more.

Burna Boy has a way of name dropping Nigerian socialites in his songs. This time around, it’s Nigerian Billionaire Jowi Zaza on ‘Cloaks and Dagger.’ It’s only Burna Boy who can bring J Hus out of hiding, and if there’s one thing Hus’ verse communicates, he’s definitely not dropping new music anytime soon, as he says “I ain’t even green yet, man a still on amber.” Hmm, Juju J we hear, we go take this one hold body.

This album version of ‘Kilometre’ sounds very different from the earlier released version; it’s more like the live version we’ve been hearing at the shows for some months now. Probably a new mix and master, and some additional production. Needless to say, Chopstix ‘finish work’ on this one with the production.

‘Jagele’ echoes 2019 Burna Boy; minimal instrumentation, and he just floating over it. I can see a lot of women breaking their waists to this particular record.

Track 5, ‘Whiskey,’ opens with the soundbite of a woman lamenting over the air pollution present in the Afro-Fusion star’s hometown Port Harcourt. Rightly so, Burna Boy would be in his activism bag. He touches on issues ranging from poverty to greedy so-called ‘Men of God.’

Then we move to the song that has everyone needing ‘igbo and shayo,’ ‘Last Last.’ I must admit, Chopstix and Burna Boy link ups are becoming lethal. This track makes very good use of the Toni Braxton classic, ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough.’

Still under the influence of the ‘igbo and shayo,’ Burna Boy catches up with Victony to spot bum bum of ‘Different Size’ on track 8. I think I speak for my other brothers when I say it would be good for these two to tell us where such a sighting was made. Victony on the other hand, is becoming notorious for singing about the almighty ‘ikebe.’ He’ll sooner than later have to explain himself.

C’mon! This is what I’m talking about! ‘It’s Plenty’ is one of those songs that you can’t just sit still when it’s playing. If you’re not bussin’ some serious moves to it, you’re either tapping your feet or nodding your head.

The vibe then transitions to a chill mood on track 10. The tone of ‘Dirty Secrets’ are a bit risqué, giving an idea of how the night is going to end eventually.

Track 11 serves as a perfect ode to the Jamaican former Miss World winner Toni-Ann Singh. Burna Boy and Popcaan link up to shower praise on a mystery woman once again, and allude her beauty to that of Toni-Ann Singh. I can see myself lying on a beach somewhere sipping cocktails with my ‘sweetwun’ while this song wafts through the speakers.

Next Up is ‘Solid,’ which features American singers Blxst and Kehlani. Contrary to the title, the song has a soft and sweet touch, with all three artistes being able to blend their styles together seamlessly.

‘For My Hand,’ my goodness! It should be a crime how Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran were able to marry their gritty and silky voices respectively. It comes as no surprise that it’s one of the lead singles off the album. I must also mention that they both need to be arrested for how short the song is.

Track 14 features Colombian singer J Balvin, titled ‘Rollercoaster.’ Upon careful listen, it sounds like a Reggaeton version of Burna Boy’s 2019 hit ‘On The Low.’ I couldn’t also help but notice on the bridge, an interpolation of veteran Ghanaian Musician Obour’s 2004 hit ‘Shine Your Eye.’

The follow-up track ‘Vanilla’ also carries the Reggaeton theme. Burna Boy’s cadence and rhyming was something else on this particular song.

‘Common Person’ would have to be one of my favorites. This would have to be the most heart-warming love song out by Burna Boy. I never expected such a thematic approach to a love song from him. The production on the song is great as well, those intermittent strings and horns gave the entire song the emotive feeling needed. Big ups to Telz.

This eventful album is gradually coming to an end. On track 17, Burna Boy links up with American singer Khalid. Again, the former throws me off completely, I never imagined what these two would sound like on a song, and I must say, I liked what I heard. That little spoken word piece at the end was quite on brand, but at the same time, I can relate.

For the penultimate song on the album, you get to hear a rather pensive Burna Boy on ‘How Bad Could It Be.’ As an overthinker myself, this is by far the most special record on there. I felt it when he said, “get nervous, then anxiety take over your mind/ and your trouble just increase in size,” because there’s nothing anxiety has been able to solve but just make situations worse.

They say the first step to solving a problem is acknowledging first that there exists a problem. I’m glad the self-proclaimed ‘African Giant’ chose to be a ‘dwarf’ on ‘Love, Damini,’ by owning up for all his transgressions and regrets, and most importantly, promising to become a better person.

Whew! I’m lost for words. I see this album as therapy for Burna Boy, and this might be the most vulnerable body of work we might ever get from him. On his next full-length project, I expect to hear a new and different Burna Boy with more clarity. Till then, we vask in the moment and see if we can bring home another Grammy for this amazing album.