Love is a beautiful thing, with the right partner love conquers all, so they say.
Every generation of artists usually take on the topic of Love & Heartbreak, Love is the theme in RnB, there’s a song to help prepare you for your first dates, for the serenading nights, for the memories to be made.
A wise man once said ‘All good things must come to an end’
If love is fuel that takes a couple to cloud nine and beyond then Heartbreak is the failed engine causing the plane to crash.
Love coexists with heartbreak, as long as there are people in love, there will always be heartbreak lurking in the shadows waiting to come to light and in turn creating a place for artists to pour their hearts out and an audience waiting to connect with the artists to help them feel better. Most times the audience carry their heartbreaks on their sleeves while some choose to play it cool.
This is where I am with Illusions an EP by Leriq and Tomi Thomas. An album fueled by love, lust, heartbreak and more.
Over the last couple of years, Leriq has been one of the most brilliant producers coming out of Nigeria, Africa. His production work with Burna boy, Mojeed, Pucado, Ozone’s project speaks volume. However that same volume has failed to be present in his last 2 solo projects on the other is Tomi Thomas who has been a star to watch out for since his secondary days with boyband LOS, his versatility sets him apart, with each project Tomi takes on different challenges, different genres.
Tomi is best described as the artist with the soul of an old Kanye West song and the energy of a prime Rooney. If plot 49 was the perception that Tomi Thomas could be one of the most versatile artists to be reckoned with, Illusions is Tomi Thomas using his vocals as the focal point to connect to the audience. Leriq’s ability to infuse various genres together and make the production simple yet classy.
The EP places Tomi’s vocals at the center of it all and Leriq’s production at the backseat providing support.
‘I never thought you could be so cold, and my nights got darker even since you gone’
The EP starts off disgruntled, Tomi expresses his frustration for his partner’s departure on Thru the Fire. His vocal and energetic patois delivery is what strings the track, Tomi’s ability to switch from one mood to another is what makes him a robust artist, when the tempo is set, he allows himself to sink deep into the lines, he has the ability to make every line sound like he’s reliving the burden, taking the listeners through the emotions this is evident on All for Love, Breaking it off.
Tomi’s reggae delivery on Hammer was pleasing to the ears. Tomi’s real feat is his voice control, the ability to go high swiftly, and downtempo.
I love Tomi’s versatility, his ability to switch up the genre is brilliant but in the process of showing off his versatility It’s easy for one to get lost in the process, he bounces from lust to love to heartbreak, too much of everything is indeed an overkill.
This EP showcases Tomi Thomas’s hunger for exploration, while always experimenting various sounds to test his limits.
Essential Tracks: Hammer, All for Love, #Instachewies
