Review: Obongjayar’s ‘Some Nights I Dream Of Doors’

Steve Umoh, popularly known by his stage name “Obongjayar”, is a native nigerian based in the U.K. Using his very distinct voice, he delivers music that is sometimes hard to attribute to a particular genre; rapping at times, utilizing spoken words or incorporating elements of modern hip-hop beats as elements of his music.

The artist has been featured on songs by some notable names, including Detroit rapper Danny Brown, Little Simz and ace producer, Sarz together with whom he released ‘Sweetness’ EP in 2021. His latest work is titled ‘Some Nights I Dream of Doors’ and has been gathering significant numbers across streaming platforms.

The LP is an incredible piece of RnB work. The album cover – like many of the songs on the album – depicts an illusion or dream-like state, featuring bright, colorful lights with distorted images on either sides of what appears to be a door through which Obongjayar walks.

The opening track ‘Try’ is a welcome to the dream. It greets the listener with a tune that sounds like the strumming of a harp and in it, the artist mentions how life could be filled with uncertainties and how those shouldn’t stop people from taking steps towards the betterment of their lives.

There is a rather aggressive switch to the next track ‘Message in a Hammer’, the lead single to the album. The harsh pounding beat in the song reminisces of warrior drums or percussions played before an execution. The song screams defiance, rebellion against the government and corrupt bodies, especially in his home country Nigeria.

‘Parasite’ begins with a set of sounds that seem to repeat themselves stuck in a loop. In it, he explains how his creativity has mental obstructions that medical diagnosis can most likely not have a remedy to. Obongjayar calling the “doctor” a parasite paints a paradox of how something which is supposed to help him get better goes on to drain him instead.

‘Sometimes I Dream Of Doors’ is named after the project and deals with the problems he tries to run away from but has to pause and face. ‘Wrong For It’ preaches authenticity and ‘Sugar’ has an African-style beat that gets your body moving to rhythm.

In “New Man“, the singer implements a powerful hip hop beat with an African-style rap, unlike in ‘All The Difference’ and ‘Tinko Tinko’ in which he explores different subgenres of afrobeat.

‘I Wish It Was Me’ obviously comes from a special place in Obongjayar’s heart as the slow-paced record has him pouring adorations on a person (or set of people) he holds in really high regard. It flows perfectly into ‘Wind Sailor’ which equally has a modest tempo and has a rather melancholic feel.