ALBUM
Album Review: Bnxn Suffers From Monotony On Debut Album ‘Sincerely, Benson’
Here’s the review of ‘Sincerely, Benson’, the debut album by award-winning Nigerian singer Bnxn.
On 5 Oct. 2023, Bnxn—or Buju as he was formerly known—released his debut studio album, titled ‘Sincerely, Benson’ like the closing salutation in a formal letter.
A good lyricist, who admittedly took some lessons from Grammy-winning Burna Boy while signed to the latter’s Spaceship Records for two years, Bnxn was understandably economical with both features and duration of this album.
(There are a lot of albums that might have been successful if not for their unnecessary collaborations. Perhaps, Bnxn learnt from the mistakes of others.)
With a handful of collaborators (2Baba, Headie One, Taves, Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez, Popcaan) present, one may not be mistaken to say ‘Sincerely, Benson’ is a collaborative effort planned by a number of great minds in the background.
On ‘Regret’ featurng 2Baba, Bnxn holds the reigns over the formerly called 2Face, a respected figure from the 2000s who made a loud impact in Afrobeats-to-the-world Movement.
As a matter of fact, Bnxn gives no chance to being overshadowed by his guests, holding the reigns in each and every collaboration!
However, there is a lapse.
Bnxn suffers a huge blow from monotony. The sound has not elevated from what was heard in his previous EPs, and has started to become boring.
He is a talented artist without a doubt, but a great voice and intelligent lyrics are not enough, especially if the sound is repetitive. Versatility in style or sound matters as much as lyrics and voice do.
Nevertheless, or on the good side of it, if ‘Sincerely, Benson’ has achieved something, it is the re-confirmation that Bnxn is not to be played with as far as pen game is concerned—one of the best of his generation in that lane.
‘Pidgin & English’ is this writer’s favorite track off the album. What is yours?
Comment below!
