Joyce Olong’s SOSEO Is a Soulful Masterpiece of Emotion, Introspection, and Artistry.
Joyce Olong is one of Nigeria’s most compelling alternative voices. She returns with SOSEO, a refined and emotionally rich 8-track EP that cements her place as not just a singer or songwriter, but a true sonic architect.
Known for her introspective lyrics and unmistakably soulful voice, Joyce wears many hats: singer, songwriter, producer, and she wears each with grace and mastery. The EP unfolds like a carefully penned diary, wrapped in delicate instrumentation and beauty. It’s the kind of music that doesn’t just fill a room, its presence stays with you.
From the very beginning, Joyce invites you into her world. The opening track, “Mmib,” featuring Grammy-winning Ghanaian guitarist Ot Woode, sets the tone. It feels like a quiet promise: warm, textured, and full of intent. Ot Woode’s guitar work weaves seamlessly into Joyce’s ethereal delivery, creating a meditative introduction that gently pulls you in.
Then comes’ Engine,” another personal favorite. A vibrant, highlife-infused track that feels like a late-night jam session with soul. “We no dey sleep for this side, everybody be like engine,” she sings. It’s a nod to hustle, to burnout, to pushing through — but Joyce still makes it sound like the most beautiful thing in the world. It’s the kind of song you unwind to, and a testament to how she’s truly cut from a rare fabric. “Heartstings” stays true to its name; it is one of the standout heartfelt moments on the project. A romantic R&B ballad that feels both timeless and tender, Joyce floats over the track with angelic ease. Her delivery is weightless, yet emotionally grounded. The kind of performance that gives goosebumps. This song, quite honestly, might be one of her best.
“Bebe” leans into jazzier territory, a lush, almost lullaby-like expression of love. “Your love is everywhere,” she sings, and it’s hard not to feel enveloped by the warmth of her words. There’s a sense of quiet reverence here, as if the song is dedicated to someone or something deeply sacred. “Everybody’s Outside” is for the introverts. “If you’re looking for me, I dey my house,” she sings over minimalist production, capturing the quiet resistance to outside chaos that so many relate to. The hook “Everybody’s outside, but everybody never see me” is stark, humorous, and incredibly real.
The arrangement of SOSEO feels intentional, from the spiritual opening of “Mmib” to the energetic bounce of “Engine” and the layered complexity of “WWYD”. The project requires and rewards a special kind of listening. That makes sense: Joyce isn’t just performing; she’s building worlds. The result is a body of work that is cohesive, nuanced, and deeply felt.With SOSEO, Joyce Olong doesn’t just deliver an EP. She delivers an experience. One that is soulful, poetic, and profoundly human. She reinforces her sonic presence as one of the undeniable and steady references to the beauty and greatness of the Nigerian Alt-music scene.
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