The internet buzzed when a certain young act covered a popular Nigerian artiste’s song in May 2022. Beaming with good looks, a fresh and soft melody, and relatable lyrics, the video got so much attention that it captured the attention of the original artiste, who had no choice but to reach out to this youngin. A year later, he signed to the artiste’s record label, got a bigger recording deal with Atlantic Records UK, and is gradually becoming a fast-rising act in the Nigerian music industry.
This was the trajectory of Toluwanimi Aluko, professionally known as Taves. After making different covers of his favourite songs, Taves’s cover of BNXN’s For Days threw him into the spotlight, propelling him further with the release of a single like Eleyele and earning him a feature on the critically acclaimed Sincerely, Benson Album. The Ibadan-bred singer and songwriter captured listeners with his soft melodic tunes and verses, thrives on experiences from living in Ibadan, heartbreak, and falling in love. But there’s more Taves wants listeners to pay attention to, as he arrives with a new EP, “Are You Listening?”
The tracklist for ‘Are You Listening?’ surfaced earlier this month, with a cover art seeing Taves listening to music and surrounded by pieces of vinyl from some of his favourite songs such as Asa’s debut album “Asa”, whose music amongst other artistes heavily inspired him into his artistry. But Taves wants to project himself. So he beckons to his listeners if they’re really listening.
“‘Cause I know it’s a bad, bad romance o, but still na you I wan see, ah …” Riding on the wave of his emotive songs, Bad Romance introduces the EP, spanning through themes of romance and unrequited love, the mid-tempo track produced by Arieenati draws listeners to his story.
Folake, the second track released earlier in the year, showcases his signature style as a ‘genre-blending’ artiste, garnering attention with his adept lyrics and suave melody. Beginning with the chorus, Taves is initially swept off by his muse, potentially a young lady from where he lived, Ibadan but stays on course to narrate his sexual encounter —a beautiful sonic construction between Arieenati and Denzl.
Steadily on the course of love, Taves professes to his ‘Enchanté’ on the third track. The young act driven by his feelings, is willing to go far just to prove his love, even though he has to pass through imperilment, as he describes, “when wahala come, oh baby, come put am for my head, I gara. Nobody knows how far I’ll go for your love.” He passes off as the dedicated lover boy. A track orchestrated by Semzi.
On A Million Things, produced by serial hitmaker P. Prime and Anoop, Taves further jumps on the groovy track to buttress his love for a Sade who seemed to have captured his attention, describing the million things he could romantically do with her.
From initially signing to his record label, working with him on his breakout single, to a collaboration on his debut album, Taves calls for BNXN again on ‘CWT’, which stands for Certified Walking Testimony. Unlike other tracks ascribed to a woman’s love, on this track produced by Phantom, Taves is on a mid-tempo vibes, describing his current status. “Sweet like honey, certified walking testimony. No more stressing, plenty lessons. Now I’m flexing” Chipping in some braggadocio. BNXN steps in with his verse, reminding counterparts of being an alumnus of the music industry.
Economy sees Taves near an uptempo vibe, drawing into the groovy track, a collaboration production between P. Prime and Big Fish. “She dey find her daily 2k, I say, whine ikebe for me…”On this song, Taves leans into the culture of payment for pleasure, but stands his ground, knowing his muse wants to pull a fast one on him. But he seems to have a flair for hedonism.
Previously released alongside A Million Things, the seventh song, In The City comes next. Taves pulls his usual suave verses of a young lover. Ingeniously produced by TSB, the track is carried by a lead guitar and melodies from Taves.
To end the body of work, Taves calls for producer Saszy Afroshii to deliver a slightly downtempo track, Apology. Assisted by a background choral voice, Taves offers his apology with soothing melodic verses to his lover, putting a reminder to reconnect where they first met.
‘Are You Listening?’ invites listeners to his signature style portrayed on romance and unrequited love, a feel-good vibe, coupled with living in his hometown. Offering a fresh perspective of music, other than the mainstream sounds, and a unique blend of RnB, Afropop, Neo-Soul and Folk twist driven by different musical influences, yet displaying a minimum versatile range.
Taves seeks to have a conversation with the world and wants to know if they’re locked in as much as he is. But does this command as much attention as he wants? Only time will ascertain. Still, one cannot help but notice the influence of BNXN in terms of melody and lyrical depth, which showcases profound similarities. But with this project, he promises to offer a new experience from the norm. And while it may not give him a meteoric rise, he’s sure on a path to significant success.
Rating: 6.5/10
