In recent years, Afrobeats has undergone a notable transformation, particularly in its contemporary R&B and pop scenes. The genre's softer side now embraces emotional vulnerability, textured production, and diary-like songwriting. From the way singers craft their soundscapes to the intimacy of their lyrics, many songs resonate with heartfelt emotion and a distinct sonority that has fueled a growing demand for such music.
Since Tems broke out around 2019, numerous female artists have adopted this formula, though few have mastered it. Yet their catalogs reflect genuine effort. One such promising catalog belongs to neo-soul artist Fewa, whose work since her 2022 breakout has established her as one of the most compelling acts in Nigeria's alt-R&B underground. Her latest EP, Rewind, stands as her most definitive statement to date.
The five-track EP, by Omotola Ijaola (known as Fewa), is a collection of introspective, moody, and addictive melodies that document her experiences with self-belief, romance, and personal growth. It opens with “Creator,” a captivating neo-soul track reminiscent of the immersive soundscapes of Sade Adu, Tems, and Erykah Badu. “Everything I touch is gold / What a gift from God / I am a creator / I am a delicate force of nature,” she sings over tender percussion and dreamy piano chords. As a young artist in a competitive scene, the song feels like a page from her journal, with lyrics that are convincing and profound, enhanced by emotional refrains, falsettos, and a powerful spoken-word interlude from her mother at the end.
From the second track, listeners get a closer look into Fewa's world. Her radio dub-esque chorus, “We go go Paris / Need no visa / Boy you know we be like 5 and 6 / Boy you high me like we drink pami,” captures her love escapades with the reckless excitement of early romance. It feels raw, smooth, and deeply romantic, setting the tone for her emotional arc that shifts from self-preservation to escapist romance. By this point, she is fully immersed in her neo-soul boulevard, where her sonority shines brightest.
By the third track, “Crazy,” it becomes clear that her music is more than just melodies. Each track feels like a core memory, a memento buttered with personal experiences of both giddy and lovelorn romance. “Fingers swiping / I see your phone hiding right behind you,” she sings, letting her octaves soar freely as she moves from somber to warm tones. When she screams, “I have had enoughhhhh!” the bigger picture emerges—one of pain, confrontation, and catharsis on a canvas of her vocals.
In “Ricochet,” arguably the EP's most anti-climactic moment, she collaborates with Savy Henry in a tug-of-war duet about sensual surrender. She turns pure yearning into deep poetry: “Those eyes so deep I'm getting lost in them / Got me caught up in your gravity / Every touch defenseless / Dance with me under the moonlight… / I'd ricochet back to you.” Both artists complement each other softly, weaving stories of clingy romance and affirming their sonic personas as hopeless romantics.
The closing track, “Remember,” sees Fewa turning inward. She sings about fighting anxiety, bursting with emotion, and grasping for survival: “Sometimes I can't lie, it's hard to breathe / I'm always stuck in one of my feelings / Under the weight of all my fears.” She connects with her most pristine emotions, labeling hope as the ultimate antidote to anxiety. “What are you waiting for? / Every single thing I laid down for you / Yesterday is gone / Remember you're not done.” She is clear-headed, resolute, and absolute in her convictions. The track provides a cohesive full-circle moment from the opening “Creator,” reminding everyone that “Life is like a game of chess” and we are all destined to make moves.
Overall, Rewind feels like a coming-of-age story of a young woman navigating life, love, and self-development. Each track feels like an extension of the other, and her chord-heavy neo-soul sojourn binds the entire playlist together like one very lengthy song. Its warmth is best suited for a quiet, reflective afternoon by the beach. It is heartfelt, honest, and emotionally fluid. In an era where premium is placed on artistry and originality, Fewa seems to be a champion of the new wave—one who has first learned to be a champion of self long before the sonics. The EP scores 8/10.
