EP Review: Steamy Waters on Ria Sean’s Fluid
The Nigerian singer/songwriter is devoted to self-love and sensuality.
Ria Sean has no use for euphemisms. On the Randay-produced single “Lemonade,” which touched on love and heartbreak, she sang, “Come through and I’mma suck you/I Love you and I’mma fuck you.” When paired with her sonorous vocals and seamless delivery, those bold-faced lyrics portray 22-year-old Ria Sean, born Gloria Asene Enebi, as a confident and unpretentious singer. She is the latest signee of Nigerian label Aristokrat Records and American label Island Def Jam. The deal materialized after Nigerian record producer LeriQ promoted Ria Sean’s music to Aristokrat Records’ owner Piriye Isokrari (whose label once housed LeriQ and Burna Boy).
Ria Sean carries the unflinching lustfulness from “Lemonade” into Fluid, her six-track EP. Fluid is Ria Sean’s debut project under her new labels and the sophomore EP on her discography. As an independent artiste, she released her eponymous debut EP on SoundCloud in 2017. Fluid gets production help from Nigerian producers Dehveen, Saszy Afroshii, PD, Bigfootinyourface and Dunnie. On the project, Ria Sean weaves a tapestry of songs bordering on sex and love, most especially the kind of love that focuses on one’s self and needs.
On the mid-tempo afro-pop opener “Money Bag,” which is the project’s lead single, Ria Sean sings of weathering hard times and therefore considers herself deserving of her new state of life. She also sees herself as a prize and won’t dim her brightness for anyone. “I shine bright like a diamond/Baby/I’m the money bag,” she sings.
Ria Sean turns into a lover girl on the soulful “Satisfy My Soul.” She promises to be loyal to her lover if he is loyal to her.“In any way you always feel like home/In every way/In any way you satisfy my soul,” she sings. She also mentions that she has other admirers and won’t hesitate to leave him if he disappoints her. But the emotion in her voice proves she’s neck-deep in love.
On “Pin Me Down,” Ria Sean is assertive about her sexual requests. “Take me how you want/Take my volume up/A notch/And when you eat me there,” she sings. Her cherry vocals complement the slick production, which is laced with guitar riffs, drums and percussion. The sensuous energy is transferred into the bouncy Neo soul-influenced “Minor Notes,” where Ria Sean coats the chorus with magical falsetto vocals.
Ria Sean imagines an aquatic world on “Underwater” where her lover’s warmth and affection is the antidote for all her troubles. Although the song has an optimistic feel to it, there is a palpable ache in Ria Sean’s voice, suggesting the urgency of her needs. “Me keep swimming, swimming, to your world/Need you to save me/Need you to hold me,” she sings.
On the closer “Stamina,” Ria Sean demands to know her lover’s staying power in bed. She’s flirty and promises him a passionate session of lovemaking. “Don’t be shy/Cum on me face/Make we fornicate/You can fall in the place/Anytime you like,” she sings.
On Fluid, Ria Sean is unapologetically herself. She injects every song with her hopes and needs. The vulgarity in her lyrics allures, rather than annoys. It all feels like a peek granted by a singer unashamed of her emotions, whether they be aspirational, happy or sad. A peep that deserves appreciation.
Go HERE to stream Fluid.