With his Tyla and Odeal featuring debut album, XOXO, marking his emergence as one of Afro music’s key contemporary visionaries, Lojay delves into the work for Wonderland.
It’s been a swift and metoeric rise for Lagos-born singer-songwriter Lojay. He broke through with his slick and sensual 2021 EP “Luv N ATTN”, and has since collaborated with a range of high profile stars, such as Wizkid and Ayra Starr, and was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year.
And so before he even released his debut album, Lojay was considered one of the most prominent Afro artists on the planet. With the vibrant newly released record, XOXO out now via Koratori, in tow, the artist’s reputation augments ever more so. The work is rooted in Afrobeats rhythms, amapiano delicacies and rich R&B cadence, with the artist covering a wide array of thematic bases – from heartbreak to romance, personal connection to romantic conflict. There’s also features from Odeal, Tyla and Victony.
Speaking with Wonderland, Lojay delves into the impressive album in our latest track-by-track.
Listen to XOXO…
Read the track-by-track…
“Salê”
Salê as an emotional curtain-raiser, a confession or admission of some sort that sets the tonal foundation of the album. I tried as much as possible to convey the pain of distance, internal conflict and uncertainty.
“Tenner”
This song was the result of a jam session with Black culture. I enjoy when he plays the keys and I just sign and while that was happening we came across this hook that we couldn’t just stop singing and immediately put drums on it. It flowed so naturally and the entire song was done in a few hours.
“Mwah!” feat. Odeal
It is by truly a spirited dedication to women. It’s a lot more playful and flirtatious with a lot of deep emotional intensity, sensual affirmation and celebration of attraction. Odeal and I made this a day after Christmas and I still feel the energy every time I hear it.
“Shiver”
Shiver was the first song Black Culture and I ever recorded and where we essentially realized our chemistry. It’s a sensual symphony at heart that transcends into something almost unrecognizable once the beat drops. Thematically it deal with attraction, desire, the tension between wanting and hesitating, and the physical/emotional “shiver” a lover can provoke.
“Body” ft. Feid
The collaboration with Feid brings a cross-cultural flavor to the album blending Afrobeats with Latin sensibilities. It was our first session together and he played the beat with his verse on it and I immediately knew I wanted something that made me and anyone listening feel sexy. We ended up with a play on physical attraction and emotional intimacy.
“Miss Mariana”
Miss Mariana is the oldest song on the project. It is essentially a character sketch, a stellar portraiture of some sort detailing scenes of intimacy and the exploration of lustful desires.
“Change You Up”
This was one of the most exciting to create. Given the album’s emotional premise, I wanted a track that explores self-love and the boundaries and the frustration of trying to stay true to yourself. Sarz sent the instrumental and had the idea for the chorus to follow the lead synth and I just had to bring my essence in.
“Jericho”
This one is extra special to me. I had essentially finished the album when I made this and immediately made a U-turn to put it in the album. I basically had a crush and wanted to put that feeling in a bottle. It felt like an emotional release with my walls breaking and I tried as much as possible to explore the vulnerability I was feeling and the aftermath of letting down my defenses.
“Wanchu (Interlude)”
P.Prime and I created this in an Escalade in Miami on the way to the studio and we were really just having fun. We ended up with something short, intimate, raw and I immediately knew it was going to be on the album. I just loved how it shifted the mood and sort of prepared the listener for the emotional tone of the next piece.
“Memories” ft. Tyla
With Tyla it was a very seem-less experience. We fused sonically from the inception and this song was the proud of our first session together. Funny story, I had a personal situation before I got to the studio and found myself yearning for bygone moments and the haunting memories of my situation at the time.
“Somebody like You”
This song is dedicated to my first ever encounter with love and the longing for that feeling again. It’s in some ways the emotional core of the album, exploring the search for connection, the disappointment in unmet standards, and the hope for someone exceptional.
“Sawa” ft. Victony
This song probably went through the most evolution on this album. Prime and I were messing around with samples and found ourselves with this piece of music that I just didn’t feel was complete yet at the time. Well that was until I sent it to Victony and he sent back a stellar verse.
“Suru”
Suru is a Yoruba word meaning “patience.” It’s an introspective song about holding on and enduring through seen and unseen challenges. I played it for Olamide when it was unfinished and I guess he connected to it because he immediately walked into the next room and back out with every word of the entire second verse in about 2 minutes or less. It was bizarre to say the least.
“Alright”
Alright is the final and most introspective song on the album. It signifies a turning point, acceptance, resolution and peace. Lyrically, it’s where we resolve the emotional journey that is XOXO.
