“All the love wey I get na him I give o,” Joeboy admits on “Innocent,” the opening track of his third studio album, “Viva Lavida.” It’s a moody number punctuated by the singer’s droopy tone as he recalls the pitfalls of unrequited love. His hurt lingers throughout the track, and when he punches through the lines, “Why you say I be like brother to you?” it’s evident that rawness and honesty will strikingly be the leading charge of the project.
Joeboy (born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus) has never been a stranger to the magnetism of a desperately emotive persona. If anything, it is an expressive choice that has seen him sprout from a wide-eyed act charming his way into mainstream consciousness with syrupy singles like the 2019 hit “Baby” to becoming a more self-assured artist. “Viva Lavida” taps into this but also attempts to make way for a playful and relaxed mood without diluting the artist. After all, it’s his first album since launching Young Legend, his record label in partnership with Warner Music. Evolution and growth are only to be expected at this point in the career of a globetrotting, seasoned hitmaker and label executive.
From the single releases leading up to the album, it was quite clear that “Viva La Vida” was shaping up to be a project drawing and meshing inspiration from different corners of the world. On tracks like the previously released, Tempoe-produced “SMH,” he ventures into unexpected waters by incorporating a sample of “Neela Nilave,” a Tamil song from the album “Mandhera Vasal.” Middle Eastern influences are prominent on the brooding “Streets are Lonely” and “Taxi Driver.” On “Osadebe,” he harkens back to the classic “Osondi Owendi” by prolific Nigerian Igbo highlife musician Chief Osita Osadebe, with a fresh twist.
While the project seeks to tap into diverse pockets, offering a mixture of flavors from sweaty dancefloor starters to anthems for warm solo evening drives, in certain instances, however, the mood shifts come off a bit abrupt. For instance, the breezy “Sunset,” featuring wispy vocals from Brazil’s Elana Dara, quickly switches gears into the thumping “Adenuga” with fast-rising newcomer Qing Madi before landing on the Olamide-assisted “Free of Charge.”
The last few songs lose their steam as Joeboy opts for more laid-back and introspective singles where he acknowledges his flaws. “All my imperfections make e no fit slow me down,” he sings alongside Wizard Chan.
Regardless, Joeboy makes his point clear. He is an artist seemingly enjoying a new level of creative freedom and is unafraid to explore it in its entirety. “Viva La Vida” is a testament to his adaptability and ability to keep up with varying collaborators and sounds. In the ever-unfolding world of Afropop, this is a necessary skill.
