Omah Lay ‘Boy Alone Deluxe’ Album Review

Boy Alone Deluxe

Omah Lay

• Genre: Afrobeat
• Date: 16 Jun 2023
• Content: Explicit
• Region: NGA
• Track(s): 20 (Deluxe 6)
• ℗ 2023 KeyQaad/ Sire Records

Stanley Omah Didia was born and raised in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He was born on 19 May 1997 and is a native of Rivers State’s Egbeda, Emohua, Local Government Area. His self-produced track “Bad Influence,” which went popular on social media in early 2020, helped him become widely recognized. His songs mirrored the stark truths he faced, and ‘Boy Alone’ was no exception to the trend of Omah Lay’s songs containing bizarre realities, such as depression. It makes sense why many have referred to his music as “Afro-depression.”

The much-awaited deluxe edition of Omah Lay’s ‘Boy Alone’ album has finally been released, much to the delight of fans and music enthusiasts alike. This album is a personal and introspective look into the life of the talented Nigerian artist, giving listeners a glimpse into his world through his music. With a total of 20 tracks, the deluxe version includes six new songs that are sure to captivate audiences: ‘Reason,’ ‘Come Closer,’ ‘It’s Yours,’ ‘Imagine’ (featuring AITCH), ‘Joanna,’ and a re-release of ‘Soso’ (featuring Ozuna) as a single on 19 May 2023. This album is a testament to Omah Lay’s artistry and creative prowess and is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates great music.

On the deluxe edition tracklist, the tracks from the initial release are still in their original order and now labeled as ‘Side A.’ On Spotify, they are listed under ‘Disc 2.’ On the other hand, the six new songs that came with the deluxe edition are labeled as ‘Side B’ or ‘Disc 1’ on Spotify.

Album Art

The album art remains faithful to the original version, featuring the keyQaad signee dressed in black shorts and an open shirt, adorned with white shoes and black socks. Lying down on a purple background with one foot up and his head resting on his hands, he appears meditative, lost deep in thought as he contemplates his reality. The vast space around him adds to the feeling of solitude, making it seem like he is the only one present.

Tracks And Features

In this review, we’ll focus solely on the six additional tracks included in this album’s deluxe version. The first track, “Reason,” is an excellent example of how Omah Lay’s personal experiences often inspire his lyrics. The talented musician, who hails from PH, sings about his love interest and how he surrenders himself to her. However, he questions why their relationship is plagued by uncertainties and doubts, leaving his partner without peace of mind. The lyrics are thought-provoking, with the singer asking several poignant questions that even he struggles to answer. “Reason” is a fantastic opening track, and as Omah Lay says, only time will reveal the answers to these questions.

Moving on to the next track, “Come Closer,” The talented Omah Lay leads the way with his exceptional musical skills. Through his lyrics, he masterfully touches upon various themes such as self-belief, love, harmony, and relationships that will resonate with listeners. Omah Lay’s message throughout the song is clear – he urges individuals to overcome their inner obstacles and take charge of their lives by pursuing their dreams and aspirations. Furthermore, the song also contains a subtle reference to mental health, which is often overlooked today. Omah Lay supports those struggling and encourages them to be brave and take action for the better. Through his lyrics, he emphasizes the importance of being there for others and being a good listener for those who require it. Overall, “Come Closer” is a beautifully crafted track that showcases Omah Lay’s exceptional talent and delivers a powerful message that will resonate with listeners.

Omah Lays’ “It’s Yours” explores the concepts of loyalty, companionship, and faithfulness while taking a stand against infidelity. The artist emphasizes that he does not condone apologies arising from cheating and encourages his partner to understand that when he’s not with her, he spends time with his friends and remains committed to upholding her trust in him, just as he expects her to do the same.

The British Rapper, Aitch, collaborates on the song “Imagine” with Omah Lay, which has a seductive vibe. Despite Omah Lay encouraging his lover to prioritize her happiness, even if it means leaving him for someone else, the track still exudes sensuality. Both artists open up about their personal struggles and inner demons but ultimately acknowledge the authenticity of their love.

“Joanna” sees loverboy Omah Lay in action. The superstar vocalist tells his lover that he is only interested in her and sings of his jealousy while he tries to woo this love with his beautifully sung and well-crafted lyrics that speak of his love. He even draws some comparisons with highlife Great Sir Warrior in his lyrics.

The Ozuna-remixed “Soso” closes the deluxe version and sees the Latino superstar flowing excellently on the Tempoe-created beat. However, this time, he receives assistance from Yazid Rivera and Alphonso Eduardo Vargas. This is the best track off the deluxe version, and it is pretty astonishing to hear Ozuna flow on the beat like an afrobeat act -though in his native Spanish.

Disc 2 sees the original version of songs in their progression, starting with “Recognize.”

Tracklist

Album Summary

Omah Lay expresses his personal experiences through his lyrics, covering a range of themes from battling inner demons to exploring his sensuality. The “Boy Alone” album offers unique music requiring multiple listens to appreciate fully. Even after the third listen, one can still feel not fully immersed in the captivating sounds of the album and in need of more.

The original album’s production was stunning, and the deluxe edition was even better. Although some of his fans may still prefer his earlier EPs like “Get Layd” and “What Have We Done,” this new album’s deluxe edition will expand his artistic limits and is a beautiful addition to his discography. The album’s enchanting qualities will slowly win over even the most hesitant listeners.

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