The album “Master of Ballads” by Dwin, The Stoic, sounds like a rich and deeply emotional project, blending diverse musical genres to tell a compelling story. The concept of the “Master of Ballads” as a persona navigating love, life, and grief creates a cohesive narrative, while the collaborations with notable artists like Lindsey Abudei, Ogranya, and Ruka add depth and variety.
The album is a 15-track, multi-genre project that explores the emotional journey of the fictional ‘Master of Ballads’ and his muse.
The album tells a vivid story of love, life, and grief, interwoven with rich soundscapes and heartfelt narratives, making it one of the most ambitious works from the artist to date.
Produced primarily by long-time collaborator Rhaffy, with additional production from GRNDMSTR, LMBSKN, and Smasher, Master of Ballads features a star-studded lineup of guest artists, including Lindsey Abudei, Ruka (the other half of Ignis Brothers), Ogranya, and Kate Bass. Each artist brings their unique flair, elevating the project into a truly immersive musical experience.
From the powerful, emotive power ballad ‘Beside Me’ to the upbeat highlife-inspired ‘Time Is Money’, ‘Master of Ballads’ showcases Dwin, The Stoic’s signature blend of storytelling and genre-bending composition.
The mix of alt-pop, highlife, folk, and Afropop showcases Dwin’s wide range of influences, from Marcus Mumford to Asa, and reinforces his reputation for genre-bending storytelling. Songs like “Beside Me” (a powerful ballad) and “Time Is Money” (with highlife elements) reflect this diversity, offering both emotive and upbeat moments.
The production team, led by long-time collaborator Rhaffy with contributions from GRNDMSTR, LMBSKN, and Smasher, ensures a polished and immersive sound. Following the success of his previous projects like The Cost of Our Lives and Love Lane, it seems like Master of Ballads is poised to be another major milestone for Dwin, The Stoic, within Nigeria’s indie music scene.
‘Master of Ballads’ follows the success of Dwin, The Stoic’s previous work, including his 2020 debut album ‘The Cost of Our Lives’ with Ignis Brothers, which was lauded as one of the best Nigerian albums of the year. His collaborative EP with Rhaffy, ‘Love Lane’ (2023) has amassed over 3 million streams, further cementing Dwin, The Stoic’s status as a creative force in Nigeria’s indie music scene.
‘Master of Ballads’ Tracklist:
1. Be Well
2. Beside Me
3. Running (ft. Lindsey Abudei)
4. Next Time – Demo
5. Ifunanyam
6. I Go Nowhere
7. Steady
8. Hard Education (ft. Ruka of Ignis Brothers)
9. Time Is Money
10. To You (ft. Ogranya)
11. Hold Me Now (ft. Kate Bass)
12. Gkw
13. Shake
14. Please Say Something
15. Swan Song
It’s an exciting project for anyone into thought-provoking, genre-spanning music!
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