Following his breakthrough hit, “Attention” off 2022’s In the Rough, Soundz returns with his sophomore EP Diamonds & Roses. On this four-piece selection built around desire and striving, the artist born Samuel Oluwadarasimi Idowu offers a blend of Afropop, R&B, and hip-hop. This is the case on the standout “Mad,” where the Ijebu-native marries his breezy harmonies with Olivetheboy’s witty lyricism: “What I mean to say by you my lighter is/You show me way when all I see is darkness.” Rays of light similarly peer through the subsequent “Sunshine,” which relays a message of resilience between a warm bassline and uplifting percussion. Sharing its acoustic tinges with opener “Agidi,” the Baaba J-aided “Solo” combines the EP’s themes, urging perseverance in the romantic sense.