No Longer At Ease landed on my desk unsolicited. I had heard of Nneka prior to this but while what I heard was good, I wasn’t too impressed. I felt she was trying too hard to be relevant and “conscious” so I was initially reluctant to listen to it. That is until a comparison was made with Asa’s album. The fact that the CD packaging was standard, not the usual paper envelope crap that most Nigerian CD’s are forced to use, was definitely a big plus.
Unlike previous reviews, I’m not going to go track by track because that format simply won’t work in this case. No Longer At Ease is an album is meant to be listened to and digested as a whole. It maintains a consistent and occasionally raw perspective on life. In fact this paradigm through which she views the world occassionally had me wondering just what pains this young woman must have gone through.
From the title of the album which I’m sure is reference to Chinua Achebe’s classic by the same name, since a lot of the same themes are evident throughout this album, to the album cover art which portrays an innocent optimism tempered by experience and an indomitable spirit, to the choice in musical styles which range from her own take on reggae, to hip hop to jazz to a little 70’s style surf rock.
My only grouch with No Longer At Ease is that the emotional range is too narrow, but thats countered by the suprisingly diverese production and vocal styles used. And talking about production; the quality is superb. The intrumentals are always at the right balance with her voice, never overpowering and always complementing her voice.
Creativity, passion, talent, depth, awareness, hints of a channeled and focused anger, a sprinkling of humor, almost childlike energy and innocence at times and a self confidence created like a diamond in the intense fires and pressures of life are just a few of the elements that contributed to making No Longer At Ease a true work of art.
In my opinion it is one of, if not, the most innovative, artistically consistent and complete albums of our time. No Longer At Ease sums up the nigerian musical and cultural renaissance. There is much to say about No Longer At Ease and I’ll have to come back to it once I’ve fully digested it.
Let me issue a warning now. If what you seek is the typical bubble gum, formulaic compositions that so many artists musicians are drawn to, you will be disappointed.
My recommendation? Buy it, enjoy it, study it, appreciate it and keep it safe. 10 years from now you’ll be glad you did.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1n4gHp2t20
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March 14th, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Been hearing alot about this Nneka chic- mostly good things- and seeing as you actually gave her a good review after witnessing the way you ripped the other albums you reviewed to pieces, might actually listen to this one…might being the imperative word!
Get Divided.
March 14th, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Woo! Great review and glad you enjoyed the album. I think you really nailed a couple of things about her and the album in your review and just from listening to the album.
The thing about it that struck and still strikes me as I listen to it (and I DO listen to it a LOT which is odd for me with a Nigerian album) is that it is all raw, emotional stuff but she still manages to keep it real and artistic at the same time.
She ain’t perfect, but you know, that makes for great art.
March 14th, 2009 at 9:50 PM
It’s been a long time coming 1st got to hear her sing about a year ago in my friend Majics car, while going to the office @ 1st i was like damn seems Asa has opened the door for Afrocentric Soul Artists type……which in a way is a good thing and a bad thing because, making comparisons with this Asa is baseless……..”No Longer @ Ease” had some very angst ridden undertones and her passion reverberated through her voice like a tidal wave on closer inspection and i thought this babe could be another force of nature….not just another wannabe….but d real McCoy.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:45 PM
When Asa’s album dropped…I was like wow, sounds like Nneka. My friends nearly killed me, they didn’t even know who Nneka was. I got her album way back after seeing her video on the internet.
Her music is pure and unadulterated. She is the kind of artiste that would rather experiment and grow music-wise than cook up a formula and keep turning out album after album with the same generic shit.
I’m glad we have someone like Nneka. I’m glad we have someone like Asa. Their music makes the spirit dance and the soul stir.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
[...] Heartbeat by Nneka [...]
December 11th, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Looks like you are a real pro. Did ya study about the matter? lol
February 16th, 2010 at 8:49 PM
[...] called it a “seminal work.” Named for a Chinua Achebe book, the album was called, by one reviewer, “One of, if not, the most innovative, artistically consistent and complete albums of our [...]