REMA'S RAVE AND ROSES ALBUM REVIEW

Can’t express how happy I was when I saw Marvin Records finally made Rema’s music available for streaming on Boomplay. Diving in to the 16 track album was such a delight as Rema took me on a magical ride in his lush afrowave world. Safe to say this debut album has definitely been worth the wait.

“Divine”
On the opening track, Rema tells us his birth story, he gives utter appreciation to his mother who named him Divine and has been his primary caregiver since he lost his father and brother. Divine is a heart rendering piece that helps audiences connect more with Rema as he shares his struggles growing up and the pain of losing his brother and father. This was the perfect song to open the album, showcasing Rema’s versatility and storytelling ability being raw and vulnerable like never before.

“Hold Me” (Rema and 6LACK)
On hold me with 6lack, Rema taps in his RnB bag fusing it so well with his afrowave sound as he sings about a love interest whom he feels the safest with, pleading her to hold him. 6lack’s verse was so short but sweet coming in the outro of the song with his seductive voice to end this hit with a bang.

“Dirty”
Dirty is my favorite album track on Raves & Roses. This song has the potential to be Rema’s next Big Hit, the production, vocals and overall feel of the song is just chef’s kiss. Rema lays his soft and silky vocals over a sonic blend of high-life and jazz, with his refreshing tone and earworm melodies that has made him an Afropop staple. Give us the visuals to this banger I beg!

“Calm Down”

“Calm Down” is by far the Best Afropop song released this year, the competition is stiff but the joy and vibrance this song has brought to people’s hearts is nonpareil. Calm down is an addictive, refreshing, eargasmic, immaculate and timeless bop that will live on for decades to come. Top 2 in Rema’s discography and it ain’t number 2.

“Soundgasm”
Another Banger by the afrobeats Titan, the lead single to Raves & Roses, that is bedroom pop done to the upmost calibre of excellence. Aged like fine wine and lives in my head rent free to this day. Rema took us to school on how to talk dirty in a tasteful and classy fashion in 3 the 3 minutes playtime of this masterpiece.

“Time N Affection” (Rema and Chris Brown)
Images of Rema and Chris Brown in the studio sent fans in a frenzy when they surfaced online. Rave and Roses finally gifted us with the product of the studio session, a fine fusion of RnB and Afropop, with Chris Brown skating on the beat with ease laying his high pitch vocals in his verse blending so well with Rema’s style.


“Jo”
“Jo” is a feel-good song that summons our waist and hips to sway in tune with the groovy beat and rhythm it exudes. Rema shouts out Grammy winning legend Angelique kidjo as he celebrates the beauty of African women in the opening verse.


“Mara”
Mara is Rema deep in his romance bag, simping hard for his love interest with corny but cute lines like ‘’spanner to my screw baby,’’ ‘’you the reggae to my blues’’ and ‘’girl I go die for your matter ‘’ Rema’s alluring vocal range sells this song through and through.

“Love”
On “Love” you can clearly hear Wizkid’s influence on Rema’s sound. Rema’s hums and inviting vocals narrate the Raves & Roses’ Afrocentric-romance tales.

“Addicted”
One can’t help but think of The Weeknd when listening to Addicted, Rema slightly bites to his atmospheric RnB niche paired with trap and pop influences. Addicted is haunting and enthralling all at once, extending Rema’s range and versatility as a global artist. Rema outdid himself on this song, the production sounds expensive and modern, his vocals were impressive, this how you make a song! Top 3 on the album easily.

“Are You There”
“Are You There,” is a conscious effort by Rema where he gets political bringing to question certain societal dynamics like the country’s leadership, religion and the propensity for people to judge you and criticize you when you’re famous

“FYN” (Rema and AJ Tracey)
FYN is just Rema feeling himself as a young successful black man from humble beginnings to the top of the world. Hadn’t approved it as a single first but now I get this songs appeal

“Oroma Baby”, ‘Carry’ and ‘Wine’ are groovy dance records that are likely to inspire various viral dance videos on social media, the non-stop rhythm coupled with Rema’s racy lyrics make for Afrobeats club bangers. Wine with Yseult has cross over appeal exposing Rema to the large European Market.

“Runaway”
“Runaway” closes the album leaving us yearning for more, this song should have been a single! Don Jazzy better push this song as it has all the elements of a smash hit. The melody is infectious, the lyrics are deep and relatable, talking about a forbidden love that makes him want to elope with his lover. Love this song.

Raves & Roses is a major contender for 2022’s Album of The Year, I already see it topping several publications year end lists.
The Album tells the story of Divine Ikubor in the best way possible and connects us to Rema as an Artist. The record is a memorable and enjoyable listening experience. Congratulations to Rema for delivering this masterpiece. In all its hype and prophesied glory, it was worth the wait and exceeded expectations.
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