A.A.A (EP)
| A.A.A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by A.A.A | ||||
| Released | August 5, 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2019 | |||
| Studio | Blackstar Studios | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 24:00 | |||
| Label | Independent | |||
| Producer |
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| Brymo chronology | ||||
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A.A.A is the eponymous debut extended play by Nigerian alternative rock band A.A.A.[1][2] It was recorded at Blackstar Studios in Ikoyi and released on August 5, 2019.[3] The band is composed of singer Brymo, guitarist Jad Moukarim, drummer Adey Omotade, and bassist Laughter.[4] A.A.A comprises five tracks and is a fusion of folk music, psychedelic rock and African rhythms; it was mixed and mastered by Mikky Me Joses.[4]
Composition
[edit]On the folk and rock-tinged opening track "Johnbull", Brymo introduces listeners to a nominal character who left home in search of a better life.[5][6] Jad Moukarim's electric guitar riff is included in the song, which takes its title from a well-known nursery tale.[5] The rock-infused track "Mary Had an Orgasm" is about a titular lady who ends up having sexual relations with a man she hires to show her around the city.[5] The Lagos Review's Adeola Juwon said the song makes reference to the female genitalia and acknowledged it for being "brazenly explicit".[7]
In the soulful ballad "Take Me Back to November", Brymo pleads to be taken back to a time when he had the trust of a loved one; the song also depicts a time when his relationship with the person was in good standing.[8][5] In "Golden Eyes", Brymo is haunted by the ghost of the dead relationship depicted in the previous track.[5] On the EP's closing track "The in-Between", he encourages listeners to keep persevering, pushing and striving.[5]
Critical reception
[edit]A.A.A received positive reviews from music critics. A writer for Filter Free Nigeria, who goes by the moniker the Waistbead Whisperer, awarded the EP 4.3 stars out of 5, praising its sound curation, production, thematic style and lyrics.[8] The Waistbead Whisperer also said the EP "carries Brymo away from the enclosure of his usual sound to a slightly more upbeat realm while still maintaining the otherworldliness of his lyrics".[8] Adewojumi Aderemi of Konbini Channels called A.A.A a "universal body of work" and characterized it as a "refreshing exploration of a plethora of sounds that we simply aren't used to hearing".[6] Music critic Michael Kolawole said the EP is a "decent experimental piece and a litmus test that foretells what Brymo’s next project may sound like".[5]
The Lagos Review's Adeola Juwon praised the EP's production, lyricism, and Brymo's songwriting. Moreover, Juwon said the record "dwells on loss, relationships in their dying stages, and unrequited love".[7]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ and co-produced by A.A.A and Mikky Me Joses
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Johnbull" | 5:25 |
| 2. | "Mary Had an Orgasm" | 4:05 |
| 3. | "Take Me Back to November" | 3:23 |
| 4. | "Golden Eyes" | 4:08 |
| 5. | "The in-Between" | 7:14 |
| Total length: | 24:00 | |
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from a press release posted on Jaguda.com.[3]
- Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ – lead vocals, production (all tracks)
- Jad Moukarim – lead guitar, production (all tracks)
- Adey Omotade – drums, production (all tracks)
- Laughter – bass guitar, production (all tracks)
- Mikky Me Joses – mixing, mastering, additional production (all tracks)
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | August 5, 2019 | Digital download | Standard | Independent |
References
[edit]- ^ Notiki Bello (August 8, 2019). "Brymo Teams up with Skata Vibration on new "A.A.A" EP". Filter Free Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ "A.A.A - EP by A.A.A". Apple Music. August 5, 2019. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Brymo – AAA (EP)". Jaguda. 5 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 September 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ a b Michael Bamidele (6 August 2019). "Brymo Unveils New Band, Releases New E.P "A.A.A"". Guardian Life. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kolawole Michael (28 August 2019). "Brymo's EP AAA is a decent experimental piece". Medium. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ a b Adewojumi Aderemi (May 8, 2019). "Brymo Introduces Us To His New Band With A Stellar Self-Titled EP, 'A.A.A'". Konbini Channels. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ a b Adeola Juwon (August 26, 2021). "Review: A.A.A's self-titled is an emotive body of work - and Brymo hits all the right notes". Afrocritik. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ a b c "Brymo & Skata Vibration as A.A.A are the real A Team". Filter Free Nigeria. October 1, 2019. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2020.