Tiwa Savage’s long-awaited fourth studio album, ‘This One Is Personal,’ finally arrived last week, marking another significant milestone in the career of Ms Savage, who has become renowned for taking her time between album releases (This is only her second in ten years). Months before her new album’s official release, the popstar revealed in interviews that the album would see her make a return to R&B, which she repeatedly described as her “first love.” 

True to her word, the album’s pre-released singles, “you4me,” a sleek number that samples Tamia’s beloved 1998 classic “So Into You,” and the Rymez and Mystro-produced “On the Low,” a steamy collab with British MC Skepta, which was released last month, are both unmistakably steeped in the melodious and soulful overtures of R&B, showcasing her powerful vocal runs and proficient songwriting skills. 

While the album’s sonic direction has been the main point of discussion leading up to its release, ‘This One Is Personal’s poignant themes and messaging are arguably more cogent than the overall sonics. The popstar’s third album, ‘Celia,’ which was named after her mother, was vulnerable in moments, but she goes full-throttle on candour on her latest, wearing her heart on whatever space is left on her tatted sleeves. 

Inspired by a tumultuous relationship and its devastating aftermath, the powerhouse singer bares her soul on ‘This One Is Personal,’ reflecting and reeling from the relationship’s effect for most of the album’s 42-minute runtime. The album’s highlight, “Addicted,” a short and sweet collaboration with up-and-coming singer taves, which appears on its second half, sees her reminiscing about the intoxicating and compulsive nature of this relationship. 

In a recent interview discussing her new album, Tiwa Savage revealed that “On The Low” was inspired by the need to keep this ex-relationship as private as possible. So it’s pretty likely that the singer is referencing the same relationship on “Addicted,” when she sings ‘If you need me to keep a secret / Already know the code, I’ll zip it’ in the song’s opening lines. However, “Addicted” does not carry much of the anguish and heartache that define some other tracks, as it largely plays out like ear candy, thanks to Cracker Mallo’s dreamy synth-pop beat. 

Tiwa Savage does the production justice, her husky and soothing vocals effortlessly floating over the beat as she repeatedly sings ‘Addicted to your mind / Addicted to the way you are / Addicted to the way you love me.’ taves is no stranger to production like this, as his breakout single “Folake” exists in the same sonic universe as “Addicted.” His contribution here is also compelling, complementing the veteran with his supple and sweet vocals. 

“Addicted” excels on different fronts. It’s the standout feature and features excellent beat selection, but what’s perhaps most striking about this song is how Tiwa Savage manages to turn lemons into lemonade. It’s the genius of many great artists: their singular ability to transform some of their most profound and excruciating moments into something infectious, enthralling, and relatable. It’s in this unique process that “Addicted” finds its deepest resonance, a testament to resilience and the enduring power of artistic expression. 

Listen to ‘This One Is Personal’ here.