Three years after her critically acclaimed debut EP, Merci Beauté, and building on her various collaborations with members of Nigeria’s Alté scene such as Odunsi, Lucid Lemons, Yinka Bernie and Tim Lyre, singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Joyce Olong returns with the sublime “Outta Town”. The first single off her forthcoming full-length debut album, “Silhouettes”.
In Ms Olong’s words, ‘“Outta Town” is a song that focuses on identity, the distrust of the “outcast” or “outlier” who, despite being ostracised and almost silenced can offer a fresh take on some of society’s everyday questions if only we would stop and listen without prejudice”.
With her calm and thought-provoking delivery and lyrics juxtaposing the prevalent myth of celebrity cult, (The Beatles vis-a-vis Yoko Ono) Joyce interrogates intentions and myopic misperceptions and treatment of outsiders.
The statement announcing the release said that “Outta Town” rewards the listener with soothing yet penetrating sounds that conjure images of Igbo Atilogwu dancers waving handkerchiefs as they do the 3/4 shuffle, to an Ennio Morricone-scored Spaghetti Western desert scene or space crafts hovering over dystopian futuristic cityscapes. Adding the song is just a taste of what awaits the curious listener willing to delve into the magical vibrations of the talented Joyce Olong.
Release Date: 11.09.2020 / Soledad Production