We Speak Music

UA.X’s Debut Album ‘Love & Hustle’ is a Lush Fusion of Afrobeats and R&B

Published

4 weeks ago

October 23, 2024

Nigerian-born multi-hyphenate creative Seyi Akinlade, widely known as UA.X, steps from behind the camera to claim the spotlight with his debut album Love & Hustle. Best known for his work as a photographer and music video director for acclaimed artists like Tems, Rema, and Lojay, UA.X now channels his creative vision into a nine-track project that blends the warmth of Afrobeats with the emotional pull of R&B. The result is an intimate and dynamic reflection on love and perseverance, wrapped in a sonic signature that is distinctly his own.

Clocking in at just 21 minutes, Love & Hustle wastes no time immersing listeners in its heartfelt exploration of romance and ambition. UA.X strikes a careful balance between the highs and lows of these themes, with much of the album focusing on love’s multifaceted nature—its beauty, its complexity, and its inevitable discomforts. Tracks like “Money & Love” stand out for their emotive vocal delivery, allowing UA.X to showcase his tender, yet powerful voice against atmospheric production.

Production duties were handled by a mix of top-tier talent including TMXO, Nonso Amadi, and Chillz, ensuring a cohesive and immersive sonic experience. The album’s instrumental palette is rich with tonal warmth—layered rhythms, sultry melodies, and reflective beats that weave seamlessly together. Afrobeats grooves provide the backbone, while the unhurried tempo and spacious R&B melodies invite listeners to soak in each moment. This unhurried pace is where UA.X shines; he allows his music to breathe, creating a cinematic, immersive soundscape that feels expansive yet deeply personal.

Love & Hustle isn’t just a musical project for UA.X, it’s a full-circle moment where his visual storytelling experience meets his sonic craftsmanship. His ability to craft worlds visually in the past translates effortlessly into his music, making each song feel like a scene in a movie—stories of passion, hustle, and self-reflection unravel as he weaves his personal narrative through both lyrics and sound.

With Love & Hustle, UA.X announces himself as an artist to watch. His transition from visual director to musician feels seamless, proving not only his versatility but his dedication to creating art in all its forms. This debut album is a bold statement of intent—both intimate and expansive in its sound, and undeniably memorable. As UA.X continues to carve out his space in the music world, Love & Hustle stands as a testament to his ability to blend passion with perseverance, and art with hustle.

INSTAGRAM | X | SPOTIFY

We Speak Music

Jean-Loup Pinson ‘A Moment of Deathlessness’: A Visionary Exploration of Mortality and Desire

Published

15 mins ago

November 21, 2024

Philomena Marie

Jean-Loup Pinson’s, A Moment of Deathlessness, is a sonic revelation that brings the poetry of Emily Dickinson into the modern world with grace, complexity, and unflinching creativity. Known for his diverse work in film, television, and theatre, Pinson’s latest EP showcases his skill as a composer who is unafraid to take risks. With contributions from the revered Carice Singers and London’s hip-hop poets Armanious and Tanaka Fuego, Pinson weaves a soundscape that feels like a haunting meditation on life’s biggest questions.

The collaboration with The Carice Singers anchors the EP in a timeless aesthetic, their choral harmonies lending a ghostly beauty to Dickinson’s poetry. In these moments, the listener is transported to a world of introspective calm, where Dickinson’s words are given space to resonate. Pinson’s arrangements are delicate yet impactful, underscoring the nuances in Dickinson’s exploration of existential themes with layered instrumentation that leaves room for reflection.

Armanious and Tanaka Fuego bring a visceral immediacy to the project, drawing connections between Dickinson’s words and the lived experiences of today’s youth. Their performances are powerful yet understated, infusing the poetry with a streetwise perspective that broadens the EP’s appeal. Through their voices, themes like death and desire feel personal and urgent, transforming Dickinson’s nineteenth-century verses into something raw and universal. The juxtaposition of classical and modern elements invites listeners to think about how timeless these questions really are.

Pinson’s composition style is intricate and narrative-driven, each track unfolding like a story within itself. His film and theatre background shines here, particularly in his ability to balance tension and release. The electronic beats woven through the tracks bring a modern pulse to the project without overwhelming its emotional depth, creating a sound that is as moving as it is original.

A Moment of Deathlessness, is a standout in the contemporary music scene, proving Pinson’s remarkable versatility and vision as a composer. By bridging classical and urban sounds, he highlights the universality of Dickinson’s themes while offering something truly new. This EP, now available on streaming platforms, is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of classical poetry and modern sound.