Tha Boy Myles
Level Up - EP
Album · Afro-Pop · 2023 · Kronik Records
When Tha Boy Myles released his 2021 debut project, Mylestone, on the back of breakout single, “Boma,” the rising singer was a wide-eyed lover coming to terms with the intricacies of romance and affection. Delicately blending influences from Afrobeats and chill pop into a languid and expansive take on Afropop, the singer (born Ogunleye Olawale Michael) took his songwriting influences from the day-to-day variances of his lived experience to emote about attraction, ecstasy, and betrayal while maintaining the affable swagger of a soul singer.
On his new project, Level Up, Myles breaks new ground, presenting himself as an astute observer of human nature and interaction. Still boasting the irresistible inflections and spurts of melodies that have always made him an engaging listen, the singer lays the course for advancement in his narrative abilities across this project’s seven tracks. The simmering tension from “Stay,” the last song on Mylestone, is blown up to an unmissable missive against naysayers on this project’s opener. Joined by Bnxn, the duo deftly dissects the scope of the grind while taking shots at those in doubt of their resolve. Singer-songwriter Fave adds poise and sophistication to the contemplative air of “One Sided,” where both singers go back and forth on the worthiness of a romance, and Afropop legend Wande Coal joins for a tearjerker on “Mixed Feelings.”
Although Level Up is packed with these moments of ponderous consternation, it still sneaks in glimmers of elation and acceptance like on “Something Special.” “Sisi Eko” takes inspiration from the log drums of amapiano and the warm shimmers of flamenco music for a bop that is a throwback to the instantly addictive charm of “Boma,” Yet no other song quite captures Myles’ new headspace like this project’s coda, “Express.” Atop a skeletal amapiano-Afrobeats instrumental by superproducer Andre Vibez, Myles acknowledges his station in life and gears up to continue his rise.
On his new project, Level Up, Myles breaks new ground, presenting himself as an astute observer of human nature and interaction. Still boasting the irresistible inflections and spurts of melodies that have always made him an engaging listen, the singer lays the course for advancement in his narrative abilities across this project’s seven tracks. The simmering tension from “Stay,” the last song on Mylestone, is blown up to an unmissable missive against naysayers on this project’s opener. Joined by Bnxn, the duo deftly dissects the scope of the grind while taking shots at those in doubt of their resolve. Singer-songwriter Fave adds poise and sophistication to the contemplative air of “One Sided,” where both singers go back and forth on the worthiness of a romance, and Afropop legend Wande Coal joins for a tearjerker on “Mixed Feelings.”
Although Level Up is packed with these moments of ponderous consternation, it still sneaks in glimmers of elation and acceptance like on “Something Special.” “Sisi Eko” takes inspiration from the log drums of amapiano and the warm shimmers of flamenco music for a bop that is a throwback to the instantly addictive charm of “Boma,” Yet no other song quite captures Myles’ new headspace like this project’s coda, “Express.” Atop a skeletal amapiano-Afrobeats instrumental by superproducer Andre Vibez, Myles acknowledges his station in life and gears up to continue his rise.
Level Up - EP
Tha Boy Myles
When Tha Boy Myles released his 2021 debut project, Mylestone, on the back of breakout single, “Boma,” the rising singer was a wide-eyed lover coming to terms with the intricacies of romance and affection. Delicately blending influences from Afrobeats and chill pop into a languid and expansive take on Afropop, the singer (born Ogunleye Olawale Michael) took his songwriting influences from the day-to-day variances of his lived experience to emote about attraction, ecstasy, and betrayal while maintaining the affable swagger of a soul singer.
On his new project, Level Up, Myles breaks new ground, presenting himself as an astute observer of human nature and interaction. Still boasting the irresistible inflections and spurts of melodies that have always made him an engaging listen, the singer lays the course for advancement in his narrative abilities across this project’s seven tracks. The simmering tension from “Stay,” the last song on Mylestone, is blown up to an unmissable missive against naysayers on this project’s opener. Joined by Bnxn, the duo deftly dissects the scope of the grind while taking shots at those in doubt of their resolve. Singer-songwriter Fave adds poise and sophistication to the contemplative air of “One Sided,” where both singers go back and forth on the worthiness of a romance, and Afropop legend Wande Coal joins for a tearjerker on “Mixed Feelings.”
Although Level Up is packed with these moments of ponderous consternation, it still sneaks in glimmers of elation and acceptance like on “Something Special.” “Sisi Eko” takes inspiration from the log drums of amapiano and the warm shimmers of flamenco music for a bop that is a throwback to the instantly addictive charm of “Boma,” Yet no other song quite captures Myles’ new headspace like this project’s coda, “Express.” Atop a skeletal amapiano-Afrobeats instrumental by superproducer Andre Vibez, Myles acknowledges his station in life and gears up to continue his rise.
On his new project, Level Up, Myles breaks new ground, presenting himself as an astute observer of human nature and interaction. Still boasting the irresistible inflections and spurts of melodies that have always made him an engaging listen, the singer lays the course for advancement in his narrative abilities across this project’s seven tracks. The simmering tension from “Stay,” the last song on Mylestone, is blown up to an unmissable missive against naysayers on this project’s opener. Joined by Bnxn, the duo deftly dissects the scope of the grind while taking shots at those in doubt of their resolve. Singer-songwriter Fave adds poise and sophistication to the contemplative air of “One Sided,” where both singers go back and forth on the worthiness of a romance, and Afropop legend Wande Coal joins for a tearjerker on “Mixed Feelings.”
Although Level Up is packed with these moments of ponderous consternation, it still sneaks in glimmers of elation and acceptance like on “Something Special.” “Sisi Eko” takes inspiration from the log drums of amapiano and the warm shimmers of flamenco music for a bop that is a throwback to the instantly addictive charm of “Boma,” Yet no other song quite captures Myles’ new headspace like this project’s coda, “Express.” Atop a skeletal amapiano-Afrobeats instrumental by superproducer Andre Vibez, Myles acknowledges his station in life and gears up to continue his rise.
