Joeboy strives to establish himself as the ultimate lover boy on his sophomore album.

BY JAMTHEGRINCH

A Yoruba boy that doesn’t cheat? Now that’s a rare find. Joseph Akinwale famously known as Joeboy strives to reestablish himself as the ultimate Lover Boy in his sophomore project; Body and Soul. He embodies the ‘Lover Boy’ persona so diligently in this album that it sounds like Cupid shot arrows straight into his veins, causing him to overdose on love steroids from the first track to the last.

From his debut, EP; ‘Love and Light’ to his debut album; ‘Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic’ then finally arriving at ‘Body and Soul‘, it has been a three-peat of skillfully penned emotions, that evolved into heart-erupting melodies that get each listener trapped in this cocoon of symphonic utopia. A place where love rules and light leads.

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THE KING OF LOVE SONGS

The self-acclaimed ‘King of Love Songs’ had to conjure his magic from his previous projects to complete his three-peat run. For Joeboy, 2022 was a mixed year, especially by his high standards. Since 2021’s Sip (Alcohol), He had not released a hit record, and his experiments on tracks like Cubana and Likkle Riddim did little to alter that perception.

But in the midst of his experimenting and hunt for a more potent offering, Contour—one of 2022’s best songs—arrived. The Tempoe-produced track allowed Joeboy to craft a catchy tune embellished with songwriting that explores betrayal and deception. The single was well-received and undoubtedly set the tone for his sophomore album.

BODY & SOUL – A PLACE WHERE LOVE RULES AND LIGHT LEADS

Joeboy has a knack for evoking those hidden dance moves deep inside you while resurrecting the hopeless romantic within you. What better way to express your love for someone than by doing embarrassing moves that let them know you’re willing to embarrass yourself in front of others as long as it makes them happy?

The project kicks off with Normally which features BNXN fka Buju, seamlessly dropping a verse to remember which is swiftly followed by ODUMODUBLVCK with his distinct flows and charismatic energy to solidify the track.

The second track; Body and Soul, appears to have the desired effect across the board as one of the lead singles on the singer’s sophomore album.

“Check my phone, nothing I Dey hide oh”

– Joeboy on Check My Phone

Down the line comes Check My Phone, the evidence to the grand jury which further proves that Yoruba boys don’t cheat. The track is definitively for all the guys being falsely accused of cheating because of one or two flirtings here and there. Clearly, Joeboy has given them a fighting chance and the blueprint for their defense.  

The interlude by Oli Ekun also deserves a proper shout-out cause every lover boy out there can relate word for word. And to be fair, there’s nothing wrong with helping a few ladies adjust their backs—baby oil or not.

The transition from Oli Ekun‘s interlude to Wetin Be Love is seamless as the song picks up from the interlude. Joeboy and Ckay deliver smooth verses, questioning the authenticity of love without financial and material backing over mellow highlife-influenced production by Dëra. 

The Best for You was another track that caught my ear. I didn’t see a Joeboy and Kemena link-up on a track but damn, it was the track I needed. As a fellow lover boy, my head was bumping from the first listen with the occasional eargasms. This track has the right melody, rhythm, plot, and bounce needed to fuel romantic delusions.

VERDICT

As a sophomore album of the talented singer, it’s quite an outstanding work of art. Overall it highlights and speaks to the growth the artist has made since his debut on the mainstream music scene in 2019. It’s still too early to know the exact outcome of this project but it has good prospects. With tracks like Lose Ya, Body and Soul, Woman, Contour, and Wetin Be Love, I think his listeners and the music scene have been blessed with a solid body of work to get them grooving. 

EDITOR’S NOTE

Overall, Body and Soul is an adequate body of work elevated by its lead singles; Contour, Duffle Bag, and Body & Soul. The album has its share of memorable songs as Joeboy plays it safe by operating within his comfort zone ensuring that there are still many standout tracks that exhibit his distinct aesthetic and strong vocal prowess.