In a musical landscape often dominated by fleeting trends, the arrival of a truly cohesive album, a project that demands to be experienced from start to finish, is a momentous event. FOLA’s latest offering with Catharsis is a rich, immersive tapestry of sound and story that delivers a complete and captivating narrative. It is a profound exploration of self and a heartfelt diary of love and ambition, marking a significant evolution for the artist.
Catharsis follows a successful EP, What A Feeling, in 2024, and a run of impressive singles and features in 2025, leading to this newest body of work. With four carefully selected guest features from Victony, Gabzy, Kizz Daniel, and Young Jonn, the album shows the intentionality and thought put into it.
That heavenly atmosphere Gokada puts you in when you first press play on the album lets you know you are in for musical excellence. As he sings, “I go deliver, Gokada,” you know he is about to deliver some of his best work as an Afrobeats emo lover boy.
Eko discusses dealing with a love interest acting bizarre while trying to navigate his life as a 24-year-old man. As the song title says, Eko, a native name for Lagos, serves as a track that shows his journey of chasing his dreams, landing in Lagos to plant his foot, chasing the money, and his musical dreams. “I be working pass my co-worker” shows he is a true hustler to the bone.
Golibe gives us the first guest artist appearance with Victony. Both artists express all the care and the attention they’re willing to give their lover, with both voices perfectly paired to convey the message. Initially released as a single, You revealed to us, listeners, FOLA wearing his heart on his sleeve, as he openly states, “you are the one I love, you are the one I trust” to convince her to reciprocate his love.
The fifth track, Lost, featuring Kizz Daniel, is one where we hear Fola following the theme of You but in a different direction. He doesn’t want to be confused because he is in love; he wants a stance from his lover as he clears up all doubts. He also asks her if she’s really with him for the love or for all the things that come with fame. Kizz Daniel adds his special voice with a brilliant 40-second complementary flow.
Moving on to a medicinal theme on Healer, FOLA tells us that his lover’s touches and caressing ease his pains and comfort him, more like paracetamol curing a headache. Cruise Control starts the second half of the album, and Fola wants all the sensual fun with his lover as he sings “pade mi tonight, let’s get high till we have a hangover.” This is that perfect track you play when you’re in the mood of weather for two.
Robbery is an even more intimate tune than the track it follows. We hear the romantic Gabzy take the first part, explaining his thoughts to his lover as she runs away with his time. Then, FOLA’s verse says he wants his lover to tell the world she has found the one.
On Caricature, we hear FOLA checking on his baby daily. Her arms are where he considers his last bus stop, and he is not leaving her. He describes his love for her as sweeter than cranberries and says he always wants more. Following up is a dance tune titled Disco, and this track features Young Jonn delivering a verse that adds flavour to the music.
It’s Going, the last track on the project, is where we hear FOLA reflecting on his journey and fame. He is thankful to God for blessing him with his musical ability while reflecting on the days he was chasing his dreams. It’s Going Perfectly captures the feeling of a star’s newfound fame while navigating it all.
This album is a masterclass in modern Afrobeats, a cohesive journey that solidifies FOLA’s place as a versatile and compelling artist. From the hustler’s anthem of Eko to the reflective gratitude of It’s Going, he delivers a deeply personal and universally relatable project, perfectly capturing the spirit of a young artist navigating love, life, and fame in Lagos.
None of this sonic excellence would be possible without the visionary producers who built the immersive soundscapes for FOLA’s stories. A monumental commendation is due to the production team from SB to Kel-P, LOL, Damie, Shallythechampion, Hoodini, Jhay2unez, Drekiss, Promise, and many more.
Their collective genius is the album’s bedrock. The production is flawless, from the heavenly, atmospheric opening that pulls us into FOLA’s world to the intimate, synth-laden grooves of Cruise Control and Robbery, as well as Disco‘s infectious, dance-ready rhythm. Each beat is meticulously crafted, providing the perfect emotional canvas for every narrative, whether it’s the pain of heartbreak, the euphoria of love, or the contemplation of success. They have complemented and elevated FOLA’s vision, creating a rich, textured, and unforgettable listening experience from start to finish.
This is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a definitive statement—a must-listen.
Rating: ★★★★★
Standout Tracks: Eko, Gokada, Cruise Control, You
