The Nigerian-born, London-based artist Obongjayar has collaborated with people like Fred again.. and Little Simz, and he’s released recent singles like “Just Cool” and “Who Let Him In.” Today, he’s got two new tracks — one slinky pop jam with a fun video and one beat-centric B-side.
The proper single is “Just My Luck,” a twitchy-floaty dance track with a groove that reminds me of Daryl Hall and John Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do).” In the track’s Uncanny-directed video, Obongjayar dances around with the members of a synchronized swimming team. The heady Kwes Darko-produced B-side “Tomorrow Man” is an ebullient Afrobeat-influenced track with some noisy post-punk guitar squeals. Here’s what Obongjayar says about “Just My Luck”:
“Just My Luck” is a song about loneliness, about wanting to be a part of a crowd and the fear of missing out. On reflection, not being part of those crowds I so desperately wanted to be, and being absent from whatever it was at the time that would make me feel like the world would end, allowed me to really dig deeper and not only discover myself but also appreciate my unique self. Because there weren’t any distractions and nothing else to do but be in myself and flesh out the person I eventually became, I also spent that time writing, discovering my voice musically. I guess in some ways using that initial sting as fuel to propel me in self-enlightenment! hahaha”
Listen to both tracks below.
