When Adekunle Kosoko popularly known by stage name Adekunle Gold released the Album art/Track list for his then yet-to-be released debut Album and also announced the release date of the Album come 28th of July, fans and music lovers displayed exuberance on social media platforms as their long wait for the Album had now been given a near expiration date.

Loyalists of the YBNL signee who couldn’t curb their wild enthusiasm desperately sought illegal means through which they could lay hold of songs from the Album, even before the Album’s release date. There really was so much pandemonium on the internet as regards the GOLD Album. At one point I asked myself, what’s all the rave about Adekunle’s Album? Afterall this wasn’t the first time a Nigerian artist was releasing an Album nau. It later dawned on me the treatment the yet-to-be released GOLD Album was getting was as a result of the 4 stellar singles (Sade, Orente, Pick up & Ready) he had released prior to the completion of the GOLD Album. This alone heightened anticipation for the debut project.

And then Adekunle stunned us by releasing his highly anticipated Album two days ahead of schedule. Fans and Music lovers could now officially immerse themselves in Adekunle’s Golden pool.

The 55 minute 16-track Album titled GOLD was crafted by producers as Seyikeyz, Oscar, Pheelz, B Banks, Sleekamo and Masterkraft. And was released under the YBNL record label.

Gold Intro: What better way to start the debut Album than to open with a beautiful intro that brings to light the artist’s rite of passage, his struggles and how he came about the name Adekunle Gold. The latter of which he named the Album after.

My Life: Adekunle embraces his music roots on this one. Belonging to the Juju and Highlife music genre this piece has Adekunle advising critics and haters to desist from antagonising him, he further reminds them that his success is God’s making. I really enjoyed the lead-guitar and bata-drumming on this one.

Beautiful Night: A love song in itself, this track brings to light a conversation between two lovers. “Its a beautiful night Let me love you baby tomorrow can wait.”

Orente: Another awesome piece. Adekunle takes his time to emphasise on the need for all to Love, appreciate, and adore his woman. “Ebami Ki Orente” He appreciates her for her faithfulness and sticking with him through thick and thin.

Nurse Alabere: Another ballad as its predecessors. On this beautiful piece Adekunle brings to light an experience of heartbreak. ‘Nurse Alabere’ captures that forlorn feeling of losing your heart.

Friend zone: Adekunle speeds up the tempo on this one. On this track he kinda connects with the experience of every guy who’s asked a girl out and gotten nothing more than the friend zone reply.

Paradise: Great jam!!! All that percussion and choral voices, truly heavenly. The song highlights the sought of intoxication and security an undying love can bring. There’s quite a similarity between Adekunle’s “Paradise” and Jon Bellion’s “Hand of God.”

No Forget: The only Collaboration on this masterpiece. Adekunle recruits Simi on this one. Adekunle pleads with his lover not to forget how far they’ve come and what they’ve been through. He also takes his time to plead that she shouldn’t allow the sweet-talk of other guys sway her.

Pick up: A feel good-song in itself belonging to the Pop genre. This one has Adekunle conversing with his creator. He pleads with God to pick up his call (answer his prayers) and not put him to shame.

Work: As the title goes, Adekunle advises his listeners to work and shun fake life.

Temptation: This track highlights a tale of the test of true friendship. The character in the song is caught in a tempting situation as his soldier friend’s hot wife invites him to taste of her goodies. But like scriptural joseph he is strong in the face of betrayal, showing an exemplary discipline that we can all connect and aspire to.

Ariwo ko: Adekunle infuses Indian melody on this one. The song serves the purpose of correcting an impression that “music is not noise” . It seems to be directed at someone in the industry or generally speaking, wack artists known for crafting songs of superficial quality.

Fight for You: As the name implies this song has Adekunle showing the length he would go to make his girl happy and keep her safe.

Ready: Everyone yearns for love even Adekunle Gold. Arguably the best song on the Album. Who wouldn’t fall in love with this great song’s melody and beat? Definitely nobody. Regardless of your age this song is sure to get you moving.

Sweet me: Another danceable song. Produced by
Masterkraft this song with a high-life-feel is sure to get you rocking on the dance floor.

Sade: Adekunle’s debut single. This single brought the King of Photoshop to limelight as a talented music artist. Released in 2015, the song has Adekunle covering British boy band One Direction’s “Story of my life”. He tweaks it a little by adding a Fuji-feel.

A great Album if you ask me, worthy of being called a classic. The Album does set a conceptual standard. My only fear is that most Nigerian music listeners being who they are might not really appreciate this work of art, owing to their fierce affinity with Dance-hall/club songs.

Ratings 8.2/10

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/07/31/album-review-adekunles-gold-album-truly-a-classic/