“FRAGILE” By Nwafo Dolly Sorel.

Two years after her last album, the artist unexpectedly released a new EP on March 1, 2024, titled “Fragile”, consisting of 6 tracks. Navigating between different eras, it is primarily an introspective record for the slam artist, who takes the opportunity to unveil a more intimate side of humanity: emotions. The singer is heading towards a new destination. Analysis.

“Nwafo Dolly Sorel”, known by her stage name “Lydol”, doesn’t do things halfway. It’s February 6, 2024, at 7:23 AM, when “Lydol” innocently steps into a Canadian alley and makes an announcement that marks a moment of naturalness and spontaneity, lasting just one minute and ten seconds. In her pocket, she presents her two previous albums (”Slamthérapie” and “Hybride”) before delivering the words in her unique style. What draws my attention during this unique moment isn’t her traditional look with dreadlocks, no. It’s the background music accompanying her, which happens to be the track that carries the mini-album,

On the duochromatic black-and-white cover, I see the best female artist in Afro-urban music at the Canal d'Or Act 14, eyes closed, in a falling motion. If you look at the image head-on, the artist appears to be falling, but from the profile view, she seems to be leaning against an invisible ledge. The effect, sought by the photographic team, is clear, as this cover will spark various questions on social media. The color black here symbolizes power, but it also represents darkness, the absence of light, and the ultimate fear of being vulnerable in the face of one’s emotions. The white, on the other hand, signifies innocence, simplicity, the nonexistent, and the immaterial. These two colors are not chosen by chance, as their symbolism for the EP reflects an emotional balance, a necessary opposition, much like good and evil.

The album opens with “Lionne Louve et Lièvre,” a track produced by Teddybeatz, a talented Cameroonian arranger known for working with Krys M and many other artists. The track begins with 7 seconds of deep bass guitar, followed by 7 seconds of drums, before entering a vocal section enhanced with strange riffs, under a Saharan-inspired sound, reminiscent of griot music by Djeli Moussa Condé or Bamba Groove. “Lydol” drew from these influences during her stays in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Senegal in 2022. On this first track, she celebrates the multi-faceted woman, one who knows how to face the challenges of the world. The symbolism of the title reflects a profound mirror between the protective role of the wolf, the strength of the lioness, and the discretion of the hare.

The music video, which has accumulated over a million views, is a visual production in its own right, blending theatrical interpretation and choreographic, even scenographic, performances. Several creatives were involved in this project, including Lecris Mila for the direction, Ekie Bozeur for the mastering, Afrokrema for the accessories, and David Fanaged for the costumes.

“Liè Wòn Ñgyê” is the second track, more danceable, which reinforces the idea that the singer and slam artist is focusing on musical parallels through the use of guitar arrangements, mixing Mexican sombreros, pop, and afrobeat. The track explores themes of heartbreak, psychological pain, and "goumin" (local term), with the message that every human has a heart, and it’s harmful to play with people’s feelings. “Katerina” sheds light on depression and the societal pressures placed on women, especially in relation to marriage, the sometimes mortgaged future, and a freedom that is limited or hidden under harmful societal pretexts. The artist calls on “Time” to be the ultimate healer of deep wounds. This track is particularly personal for “Lydol” when considering the extreme solitude faced during suffering.

The fourth track, “Lydol” surprises with a nonlinear choice from Andjamy, blending French variety, pop melodies, and phonetic changes. The magic of this track could be enhanced in live performances with violin, piano, and “Lydol’s” simple yet powerful voice. “Is She Me,” the fifth track, enters a space that is both modernist and traditionalist, with the use of English and pidgin, creating a very folk vibe enriched with elements from the Njang of the Northwest region of Cameroon, highlighted by beautiful piano notes. “Ecstasy” reassures me of “Lydol's”commitment to an artistic direction. Listening to this last track, I could swear I’m hearing a blend of Simi, Foxy Brown, and a miniature version of Lil Kim.