Lost And Found, Simi’s sixth studio album, sees the songstress showcase a set of qualities that are all too familiar to all who have listened to her since 2014 when she first announced herself in Nigerian Pop. Those qualities include a captivating voice, a talent for crafting memorable melodies, and an ability to infuse emotional depth into a song. Not unlike her influence Asa, who features in this album, Simi balances emotional depth with technical brilliance. As in the bulk of her previous works, this album is largely grounded in RnB, but also it sees Sisi tread outside of usual grounds, evident in her collaborations with Lojay and Bella Shmurda. There are a few other lessons that the album teaches us not only about Simi but about Nigerian Pop:
Doubling Down On Her RnB Background
Simi is among the artists who have consistently stayed true to their genre without compromise. Her body of work reflects her roots and foreshadows the paths she may explore as she gains life experiences and hones her craft. Since the inception of her career, Simi has epitomized the essence of RnB, unlike many who have diverged from the genre in pursuit of commercial success, especially amidst the evolving Nigerian music landscape dominated by Afrobeats.
In her latest album, Simi embarks on a journey to rediscover the cherished RnB melodies and sincere explorations of love and passion that initially captivated her audience. While she has evolved artistically, she hasn’t strayed far from her “good girl next door” persona, albeit with a slightly more confident and alluring demeanor. Her music continues to resonate with the essence of her earlier work.
Innovate Or Die
Simi’s music is still rooted in maintaining the essence of the music that brought her initial success, however, she is embracing current sounds and trends in collaboration with artists such as Lojay, whose stellar melodies enrich my favorite track, track Miracle Water, and Bella Shmurda-assisted Alafia whose Afro-swing vibe complements seamlessly.
Beyond her established style, Simi’s evolution as a woman, mother, and wife is palpable in her recent work. Tracks like Gimme Something, with its mid-tempo bounce, and Romantic Therapy, characterized by its evocative strings and percussions, reflect her bold exploration of sensuality. These songs are imbued with subtle yet potent sexual innuendos, showcasing a newfound confidence and maturity in her artistic expression.
Simi’s ability to balance her signature sound with contemporary influences, coupled with her personal growth reflected in her music, demonstrates a readiness to embrace new dimensions in her artistic journey.
Celebration Of The OG
Simi envisioned a project that would resonate universally, exemplifying her selflessness by paying homage to Nigerian Juju music icon Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey through a reinterpretation of his classic Olomi Gbo Temi on her track Jowo. This decision not only adds diversity to her album but also evokes nostalgia for listeners familiar with the original piece. However, there exist divergences on the effectiveness of incorporating Chief Commander’s aged vocals into the track. Personally, the use of guitar would have been more suitable for the homage, believing that Chief Commander’s vocals, showing the wear of time, may not have complemented the song as intended.
In contrast, recent examples of Tems’ tribute to Seyi Sodimu’s Love Me Jeje, and, Adekunle Gold’s homage to Musiliu Ishola’s Apala classic Soyoyo on Rodo, have successfully paid tribute without directly featuring the original artist’s vocals. This approach has resonated well within the industry, spotlighting alternative ways to honor musical influences while maintaining a contemporary appeal.
Simi’s decision to incorporate Chief Commander’s vocals reflects her deep respect for his legacy, yet highlights the complexities of balancing homage with artistic interpretation. Ultimately, Jowo highlights the evolving nature of musical tribute within Nigerian music and the diverse perspectives on how best to honor iconic predecessors while forging ahead with creativity.
More predisposed to collaboration
Simi’s previous works saw her feature only a handful of guest artistes—never more than four in a single project. However, Lost and Found feature a broader appetite for collaboration—she features seven artistes in all, looking to the present (Falz, Tiwa Savage, Lojay, Bella Shmurda, LADIPOE) and past (Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey) of Nigerian music. Whereas the choice of going mostly solo in her previous works suggests an artistic phase that called for establishing and centering her own voice, the more open collaborative impulse of the new album represents a desire to explore more sonic terrains.
A Chance At Rediscovery
In a recent interview, Simi revealed that Lost And Found represents a rediscovery of herself. She expressed how, especially after becoming a mother, she felt a disconnect from her identity: “I’ve had a phase in my life, especially after I had my daughter, where I felt like I wasn’t really seeing myself as much. I was working. I’m an artist. I’m a mum, but the ‘me’ that was just for me, I wasn’t seeing her as much.” She shared that each song she wrote during this period was a form of release and self-expression. Over time, however, she rediscovered joy in the act of songwriting: “I just wanted to make music that made me feel good, that’s really all it was,” she explained, “and I felt it’d be nice to put a stamp on that time.” This album clearly marks Simi’s journey of reconnecting with her core essence, serving as a personal tribute to herself— a postpartum reclamation of the self, if you will.
From the introspective thrust of the album opener, Lost And Found, to seeking miracles in Miracle Worker, exploring commitment in Gimme Something, and empowering women in Woman To Woman, Simi shines in different facets of her identity.
The album encompasses a dizzying array of unfiltered love confessions, melodies that evoke her youthful spirit as a wife, subtle expressions of confidence, and Owambe-inspired numbers. Most importantly, Simi remains steadfast in not allowing commercial pressures to dictate her artistic choices and has crafted yet another exceptional album from her experience of self-discovery.
Listen to Lost And Found here:
