MUSIC REVIEW: BNXN plays it safe on ‘Captain’, offers polish without progress
After the emotion-heavy Sincerely Benson in 2023, BNXN returns alongside with his 2nd studio album, Captain, a 16-note physique of labor that stays nicely within his comfort zone.
While the melodies remain restful and his writing polished, the mission largely avoids ingenious risks, leaving listeners with familiar sounds.
Released underneath T.Y.E and EMPIRE, Captain arrives with lofty expectations, namely following the heated 30BG drama and a string of stable pre-free up singles. But as a replace of rising to the occasion, BNXN largely rehashes the identical components—mid-tempo grooves, restful boasts, and romance-soaked melodies that blur into one one other after a pair of tracks. BNXN’s album quilt, Captain The setup: Image vs execution
On the album quilt, BNXN appears flanked by troopers, per chance symbolising every note as a proper follower. The imagery suggests leadership, route, and power. But below the symbolism lies a sense of fatigue.
On the opener I By myself, he admits, “I truly feel I'm all alone, on my have,” gliding between English, Pidgin, and Yoruba as he searches for solace. It’s a susceptible launch that hints at depth, nevertheless what follows is a loop of recycled flows, even when the enviornment material varies. BNXN would possibly per chance also merely communicate in diversified tongues, nevertheless he not regularly adjustments his tone. Tracks
The highlights, unsurprisingly, are the singles. Phenomena brings a restful mix of confidence and playfulness. On Very Quickly, newcomer FOLA delivers an earnest hook sooner than BNXN’s mellow vocals enter. Laye Mi glows with Yoruba lyricism, boldly claiming his residence within the highlight.
Fi Kan We Kan, featuring Rema, is among the few times the album shakes off its sleepy vitality. The log drum-driven beat and Rema’s verse breathes life into the mission.
Other moments, take care of Totori (which borrows from ID Cabasa’s classic), and Ashimolowo, truly feel take care of BNXN on autopilot—melodic, brilliant, nevertheless predictable.
On Cutesy, he whispers his procedure into intimacy, whereas Remark Up with Seyi Vibez attempts to bottle stardom into sound nevertheless lacks flair.
Captain (the title note) is maybe the weakest of the bunch, a muddled combine of ambition and drained provide. “I didn't take hang of this life, nevertheless the life selected me,” he says, nevertheless the message is misplaced in a sea of washed-out vocals and lazy mixing.
Jies tries to spice up the tempo with a nod to Burna Boy’s Turn Up, nevertheless the joy is transient-lived. By the level Eleyi, Advantageous Sir, and Cough Syrup roll in, the songs launch to mix into every other, no longer distinguishable by hook, theme, or texture. Class act or comfort zone?
BNXN is by no procedure sloppy. His pen stays arresting. His cadence is restful. His manufacturing group understands easy tips on how to invent soundscapes that flatter his vogue. But Captain unearths a deeper mission: repetition.
He thrives within the leisurely-burning R&B lane, no query. But across 16 songs, the shortage of vocal variation or structural shock becomes evident.
Songs take care of 5hrs Till Nairobi are right, nevertheless when they sound with regards to akin to 5 others, the impact fades. The album’s most telling moment would possibly per chance also merely be Cough Syrup featuring Victony. “They'll’t touch my flows,” BNXN sings. But that line is each and each a boast and a trap. The drift would possibly per chance also very nicely be untouchable, nevertheless if it by no procedure evolves, it becomes a cage.
Captain will not be a foul album; it’s restful, emotionally open, and cleanly produced. But it’s furthermore painfully good. BNXN leans so carefully on his confirmed vogue that he forgets to absorb the listener anywhere recent. He performs the operate of a assured leader nevertheless appears doubtful of where to handbook us subsequent.
With a pen this proficient and vocals this fluid, BNXN has no excuse to be this predictable.
Rating: 7/10
