Seyi or Shay by Seyi Shay Album Review

Seyi or Shay Album Review

Review by Aisha O (@hahishaa)

Artiste: Seyi Shay

Album Title: Seyi or Shay

Label: Island Records

Released: November 16 2015

Since Yemi Alade’s debut album in October 2014, no female artist has dropped an album in the Nigerian Entertainment industry. So, when Seyi Shay announced the release of her album we were looking forward to what she had to offer, seeing that some of the top female artistes took time off to attend to family issues for the greater part of 2015. The album art for Seyi or Shay dropped, with people having different opinions but one thing was obvious, she was trying to introduce us to the different sides of the artist called Seyi Shay. Ms Shay who relocated back home to do music in 2011/2012 gave us singles like ‘Irawo’, ‘Loving Your Way’ and recently, ‘Murda’ featuring Patoranking and Shaydee which is still making waves in some parts of the country.

Seyi or Shay is an eighteen plus one bonus track album that opens with a recording describing a bit of her character and how imperfect she is, we all are. It could have been better executed but still, we needed an intro and it did the job. The Mic has Seyi Shay singing about how she made it with God, how she has the money now, so she’s been noticed, record label issues and being the hottest thing right now. It really is your time Ms Shay. Almost every Nigerian artist talks about this on their album. Production was by Harmony Samuels who also worked on Tiwa Savage’s debut, and vocals really worked well on this. In Public has Cynthia Morgan giving us her reggae/patois vibe; she almost owned it but trust Seyi to show us that she can singgggg! I really enjoyed this, wasn’t too sure what I was expecting when I saw it featured Cynthia Morgan, but she came through. Apparently, they have a great chemistry. Mary featuring Phyno, is one of those songs that sounds like she recruited one of her girl bands for back up. Phyno was just ok on this one. Is it me or the Phyno buzz has died down? Yeah, he did the #PhynoFest thing but some of us didn’t hear about it till it was done.

Next up is one of the singles released from the album, Right Now. This is a jam and half if I do say so myself. Production so smooth, and vocals on point. She’s talking about that lucky person loving her right this minute, and how she’s a ride or die chick. Seyi Shay can really sing, hear her sing this live, then you’ll get it. Healer features Sound Sultan talking about world peace, sharing the love, stopping wars and to be more humane basically. Trust Sound Sultan to be on a song that preaches peace and love, perfect feature I think. Or maybe it’s because I’m a fan. Crazy featuring Wizkid sounds and feels like one of those numerous Wiz’ songs with Legendary Beatz on production. Singing about love still, trust Wizkid to come with his “Caro” hooks. You’ll start moving to this before you know what’s going on. No Vacancy has Seyi Shay singing about no love, and no space in her heart anymore for the dude that messed up. No Vacancy, come back some other time, or never. TY Mix produced this, I liked listening to it. Pack and Go features Olamide, I listened to this a couple of times, but it’s not working. Repetitive, lyrics are not working for me maybe because she was trying too hard to rhyme. It came out poorly. Trust Olamide to not say no, moving on swiftly from this.

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“She say she want murdaaaaa”, Murda the previously released single still bangs! Patoranking and sweet singing Shaydee came through on this one. You already know. Higher has Seyi Shay riding solo on this one, and it is a really beautiful song. Very likely my favorite song off the album, wasn’t too sure who was singing first time I heard it. Production was really smooth on this, with the bass. Song sounds sexual and uplifting at the same time but maybe it’s just me. Everlasting Love still has Seyi all alone, talking about giving you some love. At this point, I’m getting tired. I understand that she’s trying to satisfy the industry so they can get some songs to play at the clubs. And did she try to rap?? Hahahaha no Ms Shay, we prefer you singing. Thank you. Another track I didn’t enjoy on the album Killing Me Softly which features Timaya with his usual lyrics these days. Ms Seyi still croons on, airplay in the clubs for this too, I guess.

At this point listening to the album, I really wasn’t expecting much anymore, then Church came up and I was like “WOWWWW”. She’s really shinning bright on this and BOJ gives a solid verse in his signature English/Yoruba style. We are definitely not seeing any enemies on this. Loud featuring Afro beat Legend Femi Kuti is a good song but not one I’ll readily go back to. Loved the sax on this though, see you when next playlist is on shuffle.From the Lee temple comes Tina featuring D’banj. He had the harmonica on this which was beautiful, been a while we heard it but this song is a no for me. Skip. Skip. Skip.

She recruits TY Mix on this again, Love Wan Tin Tin sounds like one of those songs some couples won’t mind playing at their weddings. Jangilova sounds like a bad attempt at making a highlife track. Skip. I won’t be going back to this on purpose. Right Now Remix featuring Banky W and Iyanya. Pretty good effort, reminds me of the RnB Iyanya. I’ll pick the original over this, but not bad at all.

Download Seyi or Shay on Amazon

Seyi Shay didn’t exactly show us two sides to her completely as the album art and title suggested, instead she showed us that she’s got some fire in her voice and definitely knows how to put it to use. This is a good album, needed better arrangement and could have done away with some songs. Production was top notch too, and she released it at a time the industry needed to hear something from the female end.

Seyi or Shay gets