Rising Abuja-based singer/producer Jess ETA shares his new project Playing with Fire, which sees him fusing a healthy dose of Afrocentric elements with R&B musical styles in a cohesive and seamless manner. The 11-track body of work finds him collaborating with fellow Nigerian acts such as BNXN aka Buju, PsychoYP, Azanti, SGAWD, and producers Benjamz, Christer, and more.
The project opens on a high note with the piano-driven ballad "Neon", which rises to a plateau as Jess and vocalist Frya complement each other's sublime vocals with underpinned inflections and candid songwriting. Next up is the bouncy Azanti-assisted "Dangerous", a smooth blend of Afropop with subtle dancehall elements. The record is about being so dangerously in love with a woman that it almost drives him crazy. On "Skata", Jess holds down the fort with his Pidgin English-driven melodies and sultry inflections over the mid-tempo backdrop laid before him. He switches the energy with the silky guitar laced R&B ballad "Lay It Down", where he displays his vocal range, switching from falsetto runs to laidback tenor inflections. Other solid cuts include "Pick Me Apart" and "Body On Fire" featuring S'Bling, BNXN and Inci. The former is a reflective tune that sees Jess reflecting on his shortcomings as a partner, while the latter is an adulation-filled afropop jam that pays homage to voluptuous women on the continent.
Overall, the project showcases Jess ETA's versatility from crafting vibey Afropop tunes to penning reflective ballads with ease. It also serves as a re-introduction to Jess as he bares it all on the record, giving listeners his true self with no restraints.
Jess ETA is an emerging artist hailing from Abuja in Nigeria. He released his debut EP, Balance in 2020, and recently he performed at Afrochella this past December. He also won the Audiomack x Afrochella Rising Star Challenge with his single "Body On Fire" featuring BXN and Inci.
Listen to Playing With Fire here
