Austin, Texas-based Nigerian singer/songwriter Pop Stunna is traversing his lane with his brand of afro-infused R&B/hiphop sounds. From his humble beginnings in Nigeria to moving to the United States at age 13, Pop Stunna always had music in his DNA, and now he is living his dreams as an artist.
His latest release: Good Riddance To Bad Love, is an 11-track body of work that explores the dynamics of love, relationships, life, loss, and the resilient spirit that runs through his body. Throughout 11 tracks, Pop Stunna is not afraid to show listeners his vulnerability and feelings over a range of sounds. His knack for penning relatable stories serves as an anchor point as well.
The project opens up with the bouncy trap sound of “What Happened (ooh baby)”, which sees Pop confronting a lover who has changed gears and left him in the dust. He reminds them of the good times they had but unfortunately, those times have come to an end and he has to move on.
This is followed by “Forever Is A Myth”, a solemn love ballad introduced by sad guitar plucks and warm pads. Here, Pop reminisces on an ex-lover with lines like “I always thought we will be together/Nothing lasts forever now you’re my ex-lover” and further breaks down the seemingly perfect relationship that has now withered away.
In “Not Enough”, Pop employs a memorable melodic style to deliver the message of not settling for less. Here, Pop shares his displeasure towards the actions of a lover with lines like “Love is not enough, you ain’t loyal I don’t trust you/To love without respect, if I love you I won’t cross you” and reminds them that there is no turning back from this point.
Next is “True Love”, a smooth pop-infused tune that is centered around the essence of true love and sees Pop collaborating with Koffia Liye. Here, Pop expresses his desire to be loved and confesses that having his heart broken before has made him weary so he needs full assurance from his lover.
“Liquid Of Deceit” has a warm and dreamy soundscape and showcases Pop’s distinct melodic flow and heartfelt lyrics that dwell on deceit and betrayal within a relationship. It is an emotional outpour and audiences can feel Pop’s pain searing through the solemn textures as he faces the truth with all his might.
“Coulda Been” has an Afro pop/highlife vibe with its rich production made up of Afrocentric drum grooves, hypnotic guitar licks, and cinematic strings. Led by the sultry vocal runs by J'ray, the track talks about the effects of manipulation and presents a what-if scenario if lovers were true to the love they profess. On “Switch It Up II”, Pop recruits Youth Soul Love for a celebratory jam ripe with upbeat grooves, summer vibes, and a blend of styles with lyrics that follow two guys who have switched up from their past and moved on to better things.
In the end, Good Riddance To Bad Love is a cohesive and interesting take on the topic involving the heart but from a male perspective. Pop Stunna is unapologetic and candid with his approach and calls it as it is. The use of different music styles is commendable and shows his versatility as an artist as well.
Stream Good Riddance To Bad Love on all DSPs here.
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