FUNBI SERENADE EP REVIEW

By ablvckpoem
11th November, 2018

A few weeks ago, the The Collectiv3, a group of like-minded artists who believe in creating art with no boundaries, challenging the status quo, dropped their sophomore body of work titled "Live. Create. Repeat" a magnificent album which threads on the lightness of sound drawing from a plethora of different sounds and talent. Stand out singer and songwriter Funbi opted to Serenade us with his debut EP on November 4th, his birthday gift to us or himself, whichever works.
Serenade drops after about four years of flirting with sounds and dare I say genre, by the artist, honing his craft with numerous covers and outstanding features until he scored his hit single "Hallelujah" in 2016 which afforded him nominations and some recognition. With Funbi, you already know what to expect, a smooth crooning penchant for genre traversing that sets him apart from the regular Joe and Serenade is no different, tapping into a mellow, mid and up-tempo well of soothing sounds. This EP is for soft Saturday mornings, stuck in bed with the lover, far removed from the restless buzz of Lagos city and reckless candor of Port Harcourt mornings. It is for lovers not the lovelorn, apologies, what you seek is not here, broken people.
Serenade; a 7 track compilation in which he exerts his velvety but gripping vocals projecting his depth in songwriting over a variety of funky, bluesy but relatable love themed narratives that flirt succinctly with lover and listener. His sound finds a curious and relaxing way to settle into the crevices of your mind, from the way the EP unfurls with the funky and fresh Show Up where the singer tells of a fated and almost omnipresent but adorable feel of attachment with his lover. The second track picks up where the first left off with a bard to the lover on "Show Your Color", one thing is obvious, this is a smooth collection of nostalgic sounds created to seduce unabashedly with the object of his affection.
Funbi has seemingly found his niche, sonically and his prize, romantically. He intimates as much on the track "Serenade" where he pleads for a chance to woo his lover. He is actually seeking consent to seduce, corny or sweet, your guess is as good as mine. If my recollection of the art of seduction is anything to go by, you do not seek permission to flirt sir! You just flirt! Serenade the life out of this woman and be great and as he stated on "Voodoo", he is already too far gone. Man is on autopilot.
He taps Seyi Shay for another standout track on the album, "Body", I mean, this is a perfect fit. I can imagine what a video of this track would look like. The sexual energy exuding from both singers would be too intense. Seyi delivers as is customary, her vocals are ethereal and interpolates with Funbi’s to offer a heightened sense of euphoria. Simply orgasmic. My personal favorite track however is "Ride with You" with the enchanting Efya, this song has everything, from mind-blowing production to ad libs to afro beats, flawlessly delivered. The highlife tempo of the love song is the stuff of dreams. Efya adds an eccentricity to the track with her beautiful vocals. Both singers did not do too much, just enough, every sound was perfectly metered to please. 
The project closes with a reggae inspired track "I Want It Back", a soulful song that leaves you feeling a sense of loss when it stops. He tells of lessons learned from a failed relationship. It is a painfully beautiful rendition and his writing is as adept as ever. The Serenade EP is a combination of Afrobeats, Folk, and Alternative music the artist employs to pays sensuous tribute to the women he loves. I loved every minute of it.

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