Afrobeats has been in a state of lull, and the lack of invention has led to the repeated use of sounds that strip away the beautiful elements of the genre. However, J4v1nny pushes the boundaries of wha was unattainable with Afrobeats. His body of work, Coffins Only Look Beautiful When You’re Not in Them, oozes an aura not heard since the early days of Rema and Fireboy. These may seem like lofty comparisons for an artist still relatively unknown, but they are worth their weight in gold.
The EP is well thought out, with each track telling a beautiful story and leaving a lasting impression. It takes you into a world that seems to smell of pretty flowers and the promise of brighter sunsets. My favorite track, War in Ba Sing Se, takes its roots from Avatar: The Last Airbender. At first listen, the vocals felt like a mesh of The Cavemen and Asa, but as the song develops, J4v1nny’s unique vocal beauty shines through. Another favorite of mine, Japanese Joinery, has been on repeat. The depth of its meaning and lyrical prowess leaves me wanting more than just two minutes of it. In his own words:
“You’re my sunshine
Aye baby, you’re my everything
Uhh baby, baby, would you go?
Would you go looking for me?
Looking for me if I no dey my house
I’d be on a journey looking for your love
When I cannot do this, you’re the one I want
Whenever I do this.”
There’s so much depth to the project, as each track perfectly meshes into the next. It feels like unwrapping Moi Moi, and by the end of the project, it’s without a doubt that there’s so much more to J4v1nny. I can’t wait to hear what he has in store next.