Here’s the rewritten article:
Lagos’s rising star Fola has poured his heart and soul into “Catharsis,” an eleven-track debut album that takes listeners on an intimate journey through love, heartbreak, and the unmistakable pulse of Lagos life.
This deeply personal collection didn’t happen overnight. In a revealing conversation with Apple Music, Fola shared how he spent over a year crafting these songs, even before having a clear vision for the album. “To be frank, nothing was going on in my life at that time,” he admits, but his dedication to constant creation laid the groundwork for what would become this soul-stirring debut.
The album plays like a love letter to life itself, with each track opening a new window into Fola’s world. On “Eko,” he captures the electric energy of Lagos streets, while his collaboration with Afrobeats heavyweight Kizz Daniel on “Lost” dives deep into love’s uncertainties. The emotional “Caricature” bares the raw wounds of heartbreak, and “Gokada” – named after Lagos’s famous bike delivery service – serves as an anthem for the city’s unstoppable hustle culture.
But don’t expect just heavy emotions – Fola masterfully balances the weight with light. “This album is like building a soul hospital,” he explains, aiming to create music that both cleanses and energizes. The project features carefully chosen collaborations, including a “mind-blowing session” with Victony on the romantic “Golibe” and a powerful partnership with Gabzy on “Robbery.”
Each track adds a new layer to this musical therapy session, creating what Fola hopes will be more than just an album – but a catalyst for listeners to “let go of their worries” and find inspiration to push forward. In a music landscape often dominated by fleeting hits, “Catharsis” stands out as a thoughtfully crafted piece of art that speaks to both the heart and the streets.
