Libel (EP)

Libel is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer Brymo, released independently on November 5, 2020. A follow-up to his seventh studio album Yellow, the EP comprises five tracks and features guest vocals by Deborah Prest. All of the songs on Libel were produced and mastered entirely by Bigfoot. The EP's lyrics address the rape accusations leveled against Brymo by a woman on social media.[1] Libel was supported by the single "Messiah Complexes".[2]

Libel
EP by
Brymo
ReleasedNovember 5, 2020
Genre
Length16:46
LabelIndependent
Producer
  • Bigfoot
Brymo chronology
Yellow
(2020)		 Libel
(2020)		 9: Èsan
(2021)
Singles from Libel
  1. "Messiah Complexes"

Background

A few weeks after releasing his seventh studio album, Yellow (2020), a woman on Twitter accused Brymo of raping her. He denied the accusations leveled against him and suggested that an investigation into the allegations was ongoing. He made reference to the accusations on Libel and believed the woman's actions were libelous.[1] Brymo wrote all of the songs on the EP and recruited Bigfoot to produce and master the entire project. Designed by Adey Omotade, the cover art features a woman's panties, blood, and a broken glass.[2][3] It comprises five tracks and features guest vocals by Deborah Prest.[2]

Composition

Libel is a lo-fi record that explores musical styles such as soft rock and quiet storm.[1] On the album's opening track "Ascendancy", Brymo discusses depression, pain, and musical succor.[4] Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake said the singer was "broken and reeling from pain" as exemplified by lyrics like "So I sing, sing, sing, drown all my pain in the sound. So I breathe, breathe, breathe, the rhythm comes flowing through me".[1] In "Love and Paradoxes", Brymo sings about love and dedicated the record to his wife who helped him overcome the rape accusations.[1] Alake likened the piano chords used in the song's opening sequence to Lana Del Rey's music.[1]

The third track "Messiah Complexes" is a departure from the "pensive, slow-paced beat" of the album's first two tracks.[4] On the record, Brymo instructs himself to take a moment to reflect and be grateful for his blessings.[4] In the sentimental ballad "Phoenix", Brymo is worryingly defiant but rises like the phoenix.[1] The EP's closing track "Time" features vocals by Deborah Prest; the song's lyrics address loneliness, fears, and the ineffectual passing of time.[4]

Critical reception

Libel received positive reviews from music critics. In a review for YNaija, Kola Muhammed characterized the EP as a "musical diary bearing tales of anguish" and said Brymo "sought to heal himself from the pain of defamation".[4] Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake awarded the EP an 8.2 rating out of 10, acknowledging it for being "largely about Brymo's journey back to life, as aided by love".[1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ and produced by Bigfoot

No.TitleLength
1."Ascendency"2:58
2."Love and Paradoxes"3:08
3."Messiah Complexes"3:18
4."The Phoenix"3:12
5."Time" (featuring Deborah Prest)4:09
Total length:16:46

Release history
Release formats for Libel
Region Date Format Label Ref
Various November 5, 2020 Digital download Independent [5]

References
  1. Motolani Alake (November 6, 2020). "Brymo documents his healing process and issues a response on 'Libel' [EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  2. Stephen Kenechi (November 5, 2020). "Listen: Brymo talks relationship scars in 'Libel' EP". The Cable Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  3. "Brymo – "Libel" The EP ft. Deborah Prest". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  4. Kola Muhammed (November 9, 2020). "Review: Brymo uses new EP to fight off 'Libel' and depression". YNaija. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  5. "Libel by Brymo". Spotify. November 5, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
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