In-House: Adekunle Gold’s Tequila Ever After

On the 28th of July, Adekunle Gold released his fifth studio album titled, Tequila Ever After. The long anticipated album shows a different side to the versatile artist. Today, about three weeks after it’s release, we asked the team at Culture Custodian for their thoughts and opinions, in this in-house commentary on the album.

                                What’s your favourite song?

Alex: Falling Up ft Pharrell Williams is my favorite. Pharrel Williams’ intro with the drum beat and voice synchronizing with Adekunle Gold’s voice got me hooked on this track. The production that has been put into this track makes it stellar. The choral group in the background makes Falling Up my favorite . AG and Pharrel did magic on that track. 

Damilola: The album has a lot of good songs, but my favorite would be Make it Easy. An Adekunle Gold and Coco Jones collaboration is not something I could have predicted and I like that. Coco Jones stepped out of her comfort zone with this song, switching her usual RnB delivery for a more upbeat, Afrobeat style the song needed. If I listened to the song blindly, it would have been easy to mistake her voice for an Afrobeats artist’s – which I think is impressive because she managed to blend in without butchering the genre. Make it Easy is fun and romantic. AG Baby did his thing and both artists complemented themselves nicely. 

Jacqueline: My favorite song on the album is Come Back To Me ft Khalid. It’s such a feel-good love song, and I’m a sucker for those. AG baby delivered with his refined lover-boy persona, while Khalid brought it all together with his lines. I really loved how the vocals blended seamlessly with the sound without being overshadowed; it created such a smooth bop.

Patrick: My favorite song is Tio Baby. I like how he perfectly blends Nigerian and Caribbean influences, which is something he attempted with varying levels of success throughout the album. The song is a transcription of his current headspace, and a combination of good writing and pristine delivery brings it to life excellently.

                 Which track do you think has the most superb production?

Jacqueline: I’ll say Falling Up ft Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers. I was slightly worried about how the drums would flow into the rest of the song, but Nile Rodgers did such a great job, and there was no disconnect on that track.

Alex: The songs in Tequila Ever After were well crafted production-wise but Falling Up ft Pharell Williams stood out for me. I have something for beats, and the track did it. Bouncy and boppy, Falling Up has the most superb production.

Patrick: First I must say production across the album is held up to high standards, many songs are double or even triple-teamed by top level producers. But none of these can match Pharrell Williams, so the song he produced, Falling Up, is sonically brilliant. Dancehall, Afrobeats, Pop and more all are thrown into the mix by Pharrell, and the resulting cocktail is bold and exotic. 

                                 Potential hit song?

Damilola: Well, aside from Party No Dey Stop? It’d have to be Ogaranya. It’s a very catchy song with relatable lyrics. I can imagine screaming the lyrics at a party or even a TikTok dance challenge being dedicated to it – I’m sure there’s already something out there. 

Alex: Ogaranya is already everywhere. I have seen videos made with the track. I have seen like five in the past week. Ogaranya is already a hit. I think Sisi Ganja is another potential hit that will blow up on TikTok. 

Patrick: Ogaranya is already on that path, and it is clear it was created with an eye on Nigerian charts. Vibrant Afropop production sits beside catchy writing, while his marketing team has begun a campaign in earnest. In its stead, another song that bears some of these elements is Soro, so I would not be surprised to see it make a similar ascent.

Rabi: Do You Mind? It might not have the usual hit formula; still, that catchy hook and Adekunle’s soft vocals are a charm that can quickly draw listeners in. It took a second listen for me to get into the song, but once I did, I found myself putting it on replay. 

                                            Your Favourite Feature?

Alex: By now, you should know it’s Falling Up. It ticked all the boxes for me. Production, synergy, and lyrics, and every other metric, Falling Up is that song! 

Patrick: Odumodublvck was made for his role on Wrong Person. The Galala-esque beat and the song’s brash vibe are familiar features for him, and the rapper needs no warm up to deliver in style. A close second is Simi on Look What You Made Me Do for how finely they complement each other, but by now we’ve grown accustomed to the chemistry this couple shares.

Rabi: Adekunle Gold and Coco Jones make a killer combo in “Make it Easy.” Right off the bat, the song hits you with a mix of R&B and Afro-pop that feels just right. Coco Jones’ raspy voice grabs your attention and takes you on a sensual ride with Adekunle Gold in the backseat, adding extra spice. The way their voices blend with each other, it’s like a musical match made in heaven.

                                              Best Vocals?

Jacqueline: That’ll be Look What You Made Me Do ft, Simi. I think Simi’s vocals were applaudable on that track, but Adekunle Gold wasn’t left out. Their voices complimented each other, even though they sounded so different.

Alex: Tequila Ever After is a well-crafted album, picking one over the other is quite tricky, it’s compulsory to choose a track, then, Wrong Person ft ODUMODUBLVCK is the best vocal track for me. AG Baby and ODUMUDUBLVCK don’t sound alike, and that to me is the beauty of the track. The duo complemented each other, especially  OD’s rap. It took the track a notch higher. I love ODUMUDOBLVCK’s storytelling and his faded voice in the background. Best for me. 

Patrick: Simi’s high-pitched vocals are always a fine addition to any album, especially when she is given room to flaunt them, as she does here. As contrast, Khalid is understated on Come Back To Me, while Adekunle Gold matches the vibe of the song effortlessly. 

Rabi: Many songs on Tequila Ever After have great vocal range but Make It Easy stands out. Coco shines with impressive vocal range, while AG brings his A-game without restraint.

                                          Potential Miss?

Damilola: I just don’t like the chorus in Don’t Be A Baby. Every other part of the song might be alright but I can’t enjoy how the chorus sounds very choppy. 

Jacqueline: It’s a tough pick but I’d say Wrong Person ft ODUMODUBLVCK. The reason is listening feels like AG is out of his comfort zone. You can sense a disconnect when you hear Adekunle Gold’s first verse and ODUMODUBLVCK’s verse in the track.

Rabi: AG baby did really well with this album, but Look What You Made Me Do with Simi didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Maybe I had higher hopes for their collaboration, but their voices didn’t feel harmonious. It also felt like the sound was trying to be a bit of everything all at once, and that just made it worse.

Patrick: The duo of Don’t Be A Baby and Sisi Ganja cannot justify their existence on the album, they do not elevate the listening experience or contribute to its overarching story. They would be my first picks if I had to trim the album. 

                                        Most slept on track?

Alex: I feel like people are going to sleep on Kere because of its folk sound, but I think Adekunle Gold reminds us of his beginnings and the sound that propelled the star we are witnessing and enjoying today. Nevertheless, don’t sleep on any of the tracks. 

Patrick: I feel the more Western-leaning tracks will be slept on by the Nigerian audience, especially when there is no featured artist to spice things up. I think Not My Problem in particular will struggle for airtime, which will be such a shame. 

                                      Best replay value?

Alex: Falling Up still stands out for me. I love the beat and synergy in the vocals between AG and Pharrell Williams. The track is perfect. 

Jacqueline: The song with the best replay value is Party No Dey Stop ft Zinolesky. I think it was a great choice to tease the album with this song, because it set the bar for expectations and it’s such an enjoyable track.

Rabi: Tio Baby, again; it wouldn’t be a fave if it didn’t have the best replay value. Adekunle Gold hit it out of the park with this song.

Patrick: Tio Baby, Omo Eko and Not My Problem are my current favourites and the tracks I spin most. 

                       What do you think about the project as an album in 2023?

Alex: Adekunle Gold has evolved the years in sound and appearance. Tequila Ever After is proof of that awesome transformation. The album perfectly reflects the growth of Adekunle Gold from folk sound to pop. The album unlocks a new era for AG, I am excited to see where he is headed. AG Baby charts that course with Tequila.

Damilola: The first time I listened to the album I didn’t like it. Chasing Peace Of Mind didn’t come across well in the car stereos and that intro discouraged me from continuing. However, I relistened with my earphones later on and that changed the experience for me. The production is stellar throughout and the album holds multiple surprises I enjoyed listening to. It’s up to par as a 2023 album – It’s experimental and limitless in terms of the quality of collaborations. 

Jacqueline: I think this album is a great body of work. It’s also Adekunle Gold’s “proof” that his rebirth isn’t just a stint, it’s for real. As a 2023 project, I think it’s edgy and has a great pick of exciting collaborations too.

Rabi: As a project in 2023, Tequila Ever After is good but not the best. There’s a noticeable lack of cohesion throughout the album that I couldn’t get past. Individually, each track is a gem with polished production and exceptional vocals, but, collectively, the album loses its way, leaving a sense of disjointed beauty. In this era where albums are now cohesive, it’s a wonder why AG didn’t bring this into Tequila Ever After. Nonetheless, it’s a decent feel-good album that holds up in 2023.

Patrick: I think it shows growth, it shows evolution and it also shows Adekunle Gold is making his way to becoming a global star. A few songs interrupt what is otherwise a pleasant experience, but the mellow Afropop soundscape he operates caters for both quiet listening and party grooves. A great fit for 2023.

                     What do you think comes next for Adekunle Gold?

Alex: I have seen Adekunle Gold transform astoundingly before our very eyes, I think Adekunle Gold is primed for greatness. Adekunle Gold has a lot in store for his fans. Tequila Ever After is the teaser. 

Damilola: AG baby’s evolution has been so interesting to watch. He’s always made great music, but now his commercial success is about to skyrocket even more than it has in recent years. His music is fun, introspective, and just very relatable. I expect more international shows and a wider reach in his music. 

Jacqueline: Now, AG can be a pop star. He’s cemented his evolution into a new era, now he can bask in it. He’s an amazing performer and I can’t wait to watch him go on tour with this album.

Rabi: I see this project becoming a big hit that shoots him into international stardom. AG Baby is a hard worker and I bet a tour is underway. Whatever it may be, I’m eager to witness more of his evolving creative journey.

Patrick: Tequila Ever After struggles a little under the weight of pleasing multiple audiences at the same time, but like I noted in my review, AG Baby’s quality should be enough to pull his fanbase to whatever new sonic grounds he conquers. He just finished a tour of Catch Me If I Can, his last album, in the United States, so a bigger project with more global intentions should translate into an even busier year for the artist in 2024.

                               Overall thoughts and a 1-10 rating?

Alex: The vocals, the features and the production is excellent. It’s a reflection of hard work. I give it 9. AG Baby ate and left no crumbs on Tequila Ever After. 

Damilola: It’s a solid album. I’d give it a 6/10

Jacqueline: Great production, incredible collaborations but it could have done just fine without 2 or 3 songs. Overall I’d give it a 7/10.

Rabi: Tequila Ever After is a nice project; the good songs really stick, but overall, it’s a 6.5/10 for me. 

Patrick: Very good album, a 7.5/10.