The Earliest Bird: Top New Recorded Release 8-13-21 – 8-19-21 Yemi Alades’ “Queendoncom” Reviewed

I haven’t kicked into full time concert going again, and I probably never shall. Not just because I have no money, not just because I’m old enough now to not have the energy, but also because after that awful Bright Eyes gig last week (here), I can’t take the hassle for exceedingly small reward. The exception is the Afrobeats Nigerian Queen, Yemi Alade. The moment tickets went on sale for her October 6th, 2021 Le Poisson Rouge gig I was there. Of course I was.

In 2019 I first listened to the 32 year old singer songwriter on Beyonce’s The Lion King: The Gift “My Power” and followed it in 2020 with Yemi’s masterful Empress. Earlier this year she dropped “Enjoyment” and today we received the EP Queendomcom (geddit?), seven songs of lovely and femme centric African pop songs. While there is nothing as immediately enthralling as “Yoyoyo,” everything travels between African House and Nigerian pop crafts. It is all great. And “Sweety” is an immensely lovely, dance hall accented, pop dream track.

Grade: A-