Ever since Lagos based pop artist Solana first went viral for her single “Okunkun” , the world has inclined its ears to her, waiting to see what she does next. The single gained the attention of global superstars like Sza and Doechii, marking the “Girl From The West” for international acclaim before her debut project even dropped. Exclusively produced by the renowned Killertunes–known for his work on super hits like Wizkid’s “Manya”--the record features a crop of afro-futuristic instrumentals that reinvent the traditional sounds of Yoruba folk music and fuji, infusing them with electronic pop, vibrant synthesisers and rock elements.
Solana’s energy comes through brilliantly on this record, embodying the winsome courage of a girl who steps into her purpose with unabashed authenticity. Her lyricism–much like the proverbial and poetic nature of her native tongue–is filled with glowing words of affirmation and sage reflections. On “Okunkun” she runs from darkness, singing of a Creator who “lifts her to the highest place”. “Dide” is similarly buoyant; in the midst of bystanders that look away while “blood flows from her hands to her eyes”, she sings “Dide, irawo mi”, which in English means “arise, my star”, using her knowledge of self as a shield against their cold indifference. Motifs of innocence, light and self-preservation coincide with themes of breaking into the world and making it big–even as she flies the nest on “Little Birdie”, she remains determined to “see no evil”. In this way the project itself almost feels like a totem of protection, permeated with a light that wraps around Solana as she undertakes her journey to stardom.
“Girl From The West” is the manifestation of a girl who refuses to abandon the world that shaped her in the process of making her mark on a new one; she brings it with her, a shining orb in the palm of her hand, and invites listeners to immerse themselves in it. There is an ease with which Solana brings her various influences together–the way she interprets it, King Sunny Ade and Rihanna might as well be from the same place. This harmonious confluence results in a record that is a universe unto itself, abandoning neither identity nor exploration in its pursuit of realization. It is a formidable debut, one that positions Solana as a force to be reckoned with.
