Theta (album)

Theta is the tenth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo, independently released on May 27, 2022. The album comprises ten tracks and was recorded entirely in Nigerian Pidgin. Labeled a folk, sentimental ballad, and quiet storm record, Theta explores themes of survival, prudence, sexual violence, abuse, hypocrisy, communal violence, and love. The album's production was handled by Bigfoot, who single-handedly produced Brymo's Libel and 9: Harmattan & Winter projects in their entirety.

Brymo announced the album's track list in a Twitter post and described the record as "a study of humanity's struggles – and a view into what it might have been". Theta received positive critical acclaim from music critics, who called it "simplistic" and praised Brymo's songwriting.

Background
Theta was released on May 27, 2022, along with Brymo's third book, The Bad Tooth. Ten tracks comprise the album, which was recorded entirely in Nigerian Pidgin. Brymo announced the album's track list in a Twitter post; he described it as "a study of humanity's struggles – and a view into what it might have been". Producer Bigfoot, who previously oversaw the production of Brymo's Harmattan & Winter and Libel projects, single-handedly mixed, mastered, and produced all of the album's tracks.

Music and lyrics
Theta is a mixture of sentimental ballad, quiet storm, and folk music. It deals with themes of survival, prudence, sexual violence, abuse, hypocrisy, communal violence, and love. All of the album's songs feature rhythmic percussion, piano and violin chords, and choral chants. Although Theta has tracks with percussion and upbeat tempos, its chord progression is mostly dark and melancholic.

Tracks 1–5
"Illusions", the album's opening track, has a somber and contemplative tone. On the record, Brymo analyzes the horrific realities of the transatlantic slave trade while taking a sarcastic jab at the seeming lack of resistance shown by African slaves against their Western masters. Afrocritik writer Chinonso Ihekire wrote that while Brymo's position may be considered "politically incorrect", the singer "tackles the subject, creating vivid imageries" that are reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained (2012). The mellow track "Pim Pim" is driven by piano chords, shekere, and slow drums. In "Pim Pim", Brymo explores various paradigms that are people-centric and promotes the resurgence of a populace that is prosperous as a result of respectable work. Ihekire notes that the record is "reminiscent of Brymo's own personal struggles" and that the singer is "unashamed of humble beginnings".

In the Afrobeats-themed "Dem No Born Us Together", Brymo makes a statement about the bandwagon mentality that permeates every aspect of human existence and advises his audience to consider their decisions. The song features an upbeat Fela Kuti-esque instrumental. In "Love Na Drug", Brymo describes a love that is stronger than hard drugs and talks in parables about those who hold grudges against him. Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake praised Brymo for being "unrepentantly human" and said the song "portrays Brymo as one who doesn't look like he wants to have all the answers, but one who simply says how he honestly feels." "Money Good", the album's fifth track, has been described as a "slow-burn ode". According to Alake, the song conveys Brymo's own take on the subjects it covers.

Tracks 6–10
The slow-tempo track "Life Dey Go On" is composed of jazz-esque keys and violins. Music critic Bomi Anifowose characterized the song as a "nihilistic cry about how life keeps on pacing regardless of anybody's circumstance." The seventh track, "Tomorrow", explores afro jazz. Anifowose called the song "bubbly, happy and groovy" and said it could make listeners get an "80s funky vibe" while listening to the song. In the metal track "Oga", Brymo looks back on his 2021 rape allegations, which surfaced on Twitter and were previously addressed on Libel. "Oga" depicts a male character who has sexually assaulted a woman and is on the verge of meeting his waterloo; Brymo suggests that he wants the same punishment for anyone who gets caught in a similar situation, including himself. Alake said the track "leans more towards pain, consequences, retribution, and what could have been" and is an "outlier" on the album.

"Market Square", the ninth track, parodies humanity's incapacity to recognize jokes associated with karma. Alake said the song is curated with symbolism and is "generally symptomatic of Brymo's simpler brand songwriting". The ballad "For You" ends the album's sonic journey and folksy narrative.

Critical reception
Theta received positive critical acclaim from music critics. Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake awarded the album 8.2 out of 10, calling it simplistic and noting that it "feels like an anthological series about society, humanity and our plight, delivered via a collection of mostly personal perspectives, feelings and musings, from the heart of a great songwriter." Alake also commended Brymo for not "forcing his opinions, thoughts and views down anybody's throat." Writing for the media platform DigiMillennials, Bomi Anifowose characterized Theta as a "symbolic oeuvre of a poetic messiah".

Afrocritik's Chinonso Ihekire granted the album a rating of 8.0 out of 10, saying it "provides a reassuring feel of genius" and that its only noticeable imperfection is "its status as the work of a human mind eternally condemned to imperfection." Ihekire also characterized the album as "a complex masterpiece" and said it thrives on "simplicity". In a review for The Cable Lifestyle, Fareedat Taofeeq rated the album 7/10, calling it "a great piece" and praising the singer for embracing the literal meaning of each song.