EP Review: Lady Donli Is an Introspective Partygoer on W I L D
The versatile singer returns with new music to keep fans excited.
Lady Donli’s debut album Enjoy Your Life was one of the best bodies of work released by a Nigerian artiste in 2019. The project, inspired by African sounds from past eras, showcased the singer’s versatility and maturity. It featured acts like Alt-R&B singer Tems, highlife band The Cavemen. and Nigerian-American R&B duo VanJess. Two songs off Enjoy Your Life, “Cash” and “Corner”, earned Lady Donli Best Alternative Song nominations at the 2019 and 2020 Headies respectively.
Lady Donli’s latest project W I L D comes after a five-month hiatus. Her absence in the music scene was the subject of a promo video titled Where Is Lady Donli? Interestingly, the video’s title suggests, even if implicitly, that is what the EP’s title stands for.
W I L D is a six-track collection of R&B, Afropop and dancehall songs that both spills Lady Donli’s vulnerabilities and screams her sassy confidence. A production team of Lady Donli, CyberTiger, GMX, JMS and DOZ shaped the music.
On the title track, over a groovy beat, Lady Donli touches on her fans’ concern about her absence and provides some insight into what her life was during that period. “2020 was my year but it slowed down/Got locked in the house/Who’d have thought that?/Now I’m all alone battling my demons/Asking God, ‘Why me? Why evils’?” she sings. Towards the end of the song, as she croons the words, “And I don’t know where I should go now,” a car’s ignition is turned on and the engine is revved up; the car drives off - metaphorically leading into the next track “Searching.”
Lady Donli is seeking answers on “Searching.” She has enough perception to recognize that her lover is not perfect, and neither is she. She is searching through life, seeking to know her lover and herself better - a balance that if she acquires will enrich her life and relationship. “I hope that you can try and understand,” she sings, aware that her pursuit for meaning can breed hurt feelings.
Nigerian dancehall act Sugarbana and Nigerian-British singer Shaé Universe join Lady Donli on “Put It ON.” In this song, Lady Donli playfully delivers a verse about a steamy love session. Shaé Universe’s voice is mellifluous; although her verse is short, she increases the sensuality of the song. Remarkably, on this track, Lady Donli manages to create space for consent. “Put it on/Put it on/You/But only if you want me to,” she sings.
The theme of mutual sexual gratification follows “M.K.K” and “Dragon Fruit Freestyle.” On the bouncy “M.K.K,” whose chords are reminiscent of J. Martins’ “Good Or Bad.”, Lady Donli sings of a love interest who wants “a taste of the mysterious kitty kat.” She promises a good time but on her terms. “You can be my spec/If you play a little/You can be my next/Know you like to nibblе/You can be my ex/If you play too much,” she sings.
Employing a staccato delivery and sprinkles of patois, Lady Donli swaggers through the chorus of the dancehall-flavoured “Dragon Fruit Freestyle,” singing, “She told me that she like the fruit/She a fruit gifter/She like mango juice/She even put me on to that dragon fruit/She the one I choose/Pray I’ll never lose ya.” The track is a fit for gin-and-juice beach parties.
British producer/singer Ragz Originale shows up on “Set Tha Fire / Lova Gyal.” The first part of the song is a narrative of the complexities of a romantic relationship. Lady Donli voices her intention to get together with a love interest, singing, “I want to fulfil all your fantasies/I’m the real baby/Can’t you see?” On the other hand, Ragz Originale’s love interest frustrates him with her indecision. “Show me a sign/Is it red or green?/Very thin line when you interest me,” he notes.
In the second part of the song, a concerned caller asks Lady Donli, “What is this I hear about you being in love again?” “Abeg you guys should free me jor,” she snaps. “You can’t shame me for being myself.” What follows is a blast of electric guitar strings and Lady Donli proclaiming herself an unashamed lover girl.
At a runtime of 16 minutes, W I L D is a project that is small but deeply satisfying. The multiplicity in themes and sounds contribute to a never-boring listening experience. While announcing the project on Instagram, Lady Donli said she was going to “sit on my album for a bit longer.” She shouldn’t sit on it for too long, though, because her fans deserve her music - good music.
Go HERE to stream W I L D.