With most of the world self-isolating to flatten the COVID-19 curve, music is one of the things that has kept our spirits up and sustained our sense of community. Artists from all around the world have continued to put out new music, and their relatable subject matters help us process past hurts, dream of a better future, whilst also just enjoying the present moment. It’s completely understandable if this week, you haven’t really been keeping up with new music releases, given the current state of affairs around the whole world.

So to help out a bit, we’ve compiled a list of the new songs you should listen to today. Following our weekend selections that included Nasty C’s latest single, a collaboration between Kranium and Tiwa Savage, new singles from DJ/Producers, Sun El Musician and Juls, and much more. This week, the focus is on Father DMW, Terry Apala, Zlatan, Jean Feier, Oma Mahmud, Ade Lasodé, Bemi Soul, Lemuel Inyang, and more. Enjoy.

Father DMW – “Eva4ever”

The entire quarantine period has seen many fads come in and out of our digital view, as we all collectively try to stay entertained while stuck indoors. A few months ago, Father DMW and his crush for Eva were a big source of our entertainment, as the pair played into the romantic buzz that viewers had created for them and delivered lighthearted entertainment on IG live.

Father DMW is taking his admiration for Eva a step further, by dedicating his latest single “Eva4ever” to the brief online fling (Eva definitely think differently) they shared on our screens not long ago. He samples Pop Smoke’s “Dior” throughout the song, as he boasts about his flashy lifestyle since joining the DMW crew. ‘She wear drip, I wear drip, wetin remain?’ he raps before the beat starts, as he sets up his stories in English before delivering his punchlines in Hausa, shouting out his Kaduna heritage and his upward trajectory.

 Terry Apala – “No Sege” featuring Zlatan &CDQ

Terry Apala is back with his second single of the year titled “No Sege” featuring Zlatan and CDQ, following his last release, the Niniola-assisted “Lock Up”. On the Ozedikus-produced “No Sege”, he is taking us back to the sweaty, inebriated nights out, as he delivers an afro-trap record primed for dancefloors everywhere. While Terry Apala and Zlatan are full of braggadocious boasts about beautiful women, it’s the song’s catchy beat that ensures you keep coming back for more.

Jean Feier – Circus (Sweet)

Our Fresh Meat alum, Jean Feier, is what’s hot at the moment. Over the weekend, she dropped a surprise project titled ‘Grand Theft Demo’. The 7-track project,  featuring Blaqbonez, Bryan the Mensah, and E.L, is an honest and open reflection of the times we’re currently living in.

On the project’s opening track “Circus (Sweet)”, Jean Feier addresses the state of the world today and questions her existence in the grand scheme of things. ‘Lesson learnt and I’m still learning/ I am just everything I ever wanted’ she sings, over gentle pianos and airy synths. She questions how long it will take to get to the place she wants to be at, creating an honest vulnerability that is greatly welcomed.

Bemi Soul – “Memories”

When we last heard from Bemi Soul, she was lulling us with her hypnotic vocals on two-pack release “Trust Issues/Gratitude” just in time for Valentine’s Day. This month, she’s just released a 4-track collaborative EP, ‘Kaotic Riddim’ with afrofusion producer, T.U.C. and we just can’t get enough of the catchy afrohouse rhythms on the project.

The song relies on the base-heavy afropop drums and slick chords, which match the gorgeousness and dreary tenor of her lyrics. ‘Lost in the memories that we had/let’s rewind and take it back’ she sings, atop blissful harmonies.

Oma Mahmud – “Jaiye”

On Oma Mahmud’s new single “Jaiye”, he addresses fellow Nigerians to find ways to enjoy their lives despite the many injustices that we face daily from our government and law enforcement alike. ‘You no fit solve Nigeria problem, my sister Jaiye’ he sings, over rock-inspired melodies and pounding drums. Rather than serve as a marker of defeat, the new energetic single actually aims to highlight the numerous problems our people face, as he pleads with fellow countrypeople to find ways to ease the strain on their mental health in any way that seems right to them.

Lemyangofficial – “Goosebumps”

The honeymoon stage of relationships is always rumoured to be the best bits; it always consists of the unfiltered adoration for another, the casual overlooking of all the red flags, and the optimistic feelings of a future together, which is enough to have anyone pinning for another romantic relationship. Uk-based singer, Lemuel Inyang knows this and plays on this nuance in his latest single “Goosebumps”. ‘Goosebumps that’s how I feel/body dey do me … baby all for you’ he sings over the song’s hook, over the catchy drum-led beat. His lyrics are filled with this deep seethed adoration and infatuation common in new relationships, as he promises to go over and beyond in his actions to show his love and admiration for his lover.

Ade Lasodé – “Pempe the Butter”

Since she released the slick-tongued number “These Niggaz” a few weeks ago, we’ve been pinning for new Adé Lasodé and it’s finally here. Her latest single, “Pempe the Butter” is a deeply intuitive single, which she speaks about the casual injustices that Nigerians are still facing today. ‘Pempe the butter to discover the way things dey scatter’ she sings on the songs infectious beat, where she leaves no stone unturned as she admonishes Nigerians for not getting to the root of our problems, as we barely seem to scratch the surface.

Featured image credits/Instagram

Tami is living in a black mirror episode and can’t seem to wake up. Tweet your fave female artistes at her @tamimak_

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