Love Is Contagious is the second extended play by Nigerian Afro-soul recording artist Wurld.[1] It was released on 28 March 2019 through Universal Music Group Nigeria. The album features guest appearances from Shizzi, and Walshy Fire. It was primarily produced by Shizzi, with additional production from Walshy Fire, Swerve, LeriQ, and Mike Best. The lead single includes the tracks "Show You Off", "Contagious", "Paranoid", and "Wishes and Butterflies".[2]
| Love Is Contagious | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
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| Recorded | Universal Music Studios, (Lagos) | |||
| Genre | Afro-soul | |||
| Length | 33:11 | |||
| Label | Universal Music Nigeria | |||
| Producer |
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| Wurld chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Love Is Contagious | ||||
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Background
editLove Is Contagious is an Afrobeat infuse with Caribbean music, Afro-soul, R&B, Fuji, and Jùjú music.[3] WurlD held an exclusive listening session of his EP, says BellaNaija.[4] On 11 March 2019, the EP was out for pre-order on Apple Music, and Boomplay Music.[1]
Composition
editIn its introduction, "Show You Off" details his leisurely romantic intentions.[2] In "Contagious" and "Paranoid", WurlD's fascination with romance, also laid the foundation for his genre-bending antics, fusing indigenous African beats with his R&B influences.[2] In "Gbemisoke", finds him embraces his Yoruba roots as he has never done before as he sings a catchy hook in Yoruba to match the Afropop beat Shizzi produces.[2]
In "Feel Right", creating an ambient pool of harmonies, mixing synth percussion, drum machine riffs, vocal samples, and bird chirping samples.[2] In "Candy", wielding his soft voice like a poet’s quill, all swift strokes and vivid imagery, using the sweet treat to describe his romantic relationship with a love interest.[2] In "Drown", singing ‘You’re My One Obsession/You Get My Full Attention’, channeling a melodic Afropop flow over the groovy beat Leriq produces with mid-tempo drum riffs, rattling samples, electronic guitar harmonies, and percussion.[2] He ended the project with the sultry groove of "So Good", set to the folk instrumentals Mike Best produces, mixing guitar strum licks, rattling samples, traditional drums and percussion.[2]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pulse Nigeria |   |
| AllMusic[5] | |
Love Is Contagious received mixed reviews from music critics. In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Ehis Ohunyon said, From the very first time I got introduced to Wurld, he has demonstrated that irresistible skill for embracing a fusion of sounds not necessarily within the conventions of mainstream pop but still managing to enjoy some level of success and this time he is taking it even further with his experiment of indigenous sounds like Fuji, Juju and Afrobeat to form a wholesome piece.[6]
Accolades
edit"Wishes and Butterflies" won Best Vocal Performance (Male) and was nominated for Best R&B Single at The Headies 2019.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Show You Off" (featuring. Shizzi, & Walshy Fire) |
| 3:30 | |
| 2. | "Contagious" | Sadiq Onifade | Shizzi | 3:41 |
| 3. | "Gbemisoke" | Sadiq Onifade | Shizzi | 3:33 |
| 4. | "Paranoid" | Sadiq Onifade | Shizzi | 6:11 |
| 5. | "Wishes and Butterflies" | Sadiq Onifade | Walshy Fire | 1:24 |
| 6. | "Feel Right" | Sadiq Onifade | Swerve | 3:27 |
| 7. | "Candy" | Sadiq Onifade | Shizzi | 3:59 |
| 8. | "Drown" | Sadiq Onifade | LeriQ | 3:39 |
| 9. | "So Good" | Sadiq Onifade | Mike Best | 3:47 |
| Total length: | 33:11 | |||
Personnel
edit- Sadiq Onifade - Primary artist, writer
- Shizzi - Executive producer, production (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7)
- Walshy Fire - Production (tracks 1, 5)
- Swerve - Production (track 6)
- LeriQ - Production (track 8)
- Mike Best - Production (track 9)
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 28 March 2019 | CD, digital download | Standard | Universal Music Nigeria |
References
edit- ^ a b Praise, Tochi (11 March 2019). "WurlD's 'Love is Contagious' is available for Pre-Order". The Culture Custodian. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Essentials: WurlD's 'Love is Contagious' EP". The NATIVE. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "WurlD's new project is contagious". Music In Africa. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ "WurlD serenades Guests at an Exclusive Listening Session of his EP 'Love is Contagious'". BellaNaija. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ "Love Is Contagious - Wurld". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ "Wurld Love Is Contagious EP Review pushes the boundaries of his art". Pulse Nigeria. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.