Nah Skales, This Ain't A Sweet Distraction.

Skales' huge talent has never been in doubt. The scepticism has always been around the execution of the talent. More than a decade into the game, it becomes obvious he's more of a single guy than an album dude.

With six projects released so far,Raoul John Njeng-Njeng seems to be reinforcing this narrative. His latest body of work “Sweet Distractions” was churned out more than two months ago. Rather than allay any suspicions, it serves as songs dump masquerading as an album with a new narrative arch.

Hope, Freedom, and Love begin the album, a triumphant entry that clogs to sunny trumpet and mellow drums. It's an emotional, teary, victorious tune. An inaccurate teaser of what the next 13 tracks would sound like.

“Nobody To Somebody” alludes to a grass to grace story—a familiar trope while Davido assisted “This Your Body” is a perky and bright exploration of Amapiano.

Sweet Distractions is just another addition to Skale's long list of discography; it rarely elevates his art. The topics are mundane—just like most Afrobeats albums, however, there was a chance to add some sparks to the song. It is rife with shallow songwriting, inappropriate cultural appropriation(Selense), poorly executed back-up (As Always), chaotic dancehall (Leave Me Breathless).

1.5/5

Emmanuel Daraloye