Oasis is an impressive and complete work, a heartfelt collection of soulful Gospel music that is as thoughtful and engaging as its title suggests.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
The United Kingdom has arguably been one of the most productive breeding grounds for Nigerian musical talent. From the rise of artistes such as Darkoo, Little Simz, Obongjayar, and several others, whose music is a reflection of the rich cultural diversity of the Nigerian experience, especially for Nigerian individuals born and raised in the UK, the relationship between Nigeria and the UK has shown itself to be a rich, productive, and, most importantly, creative association.
Brenique, as an artiste, is a product of this rich cultural experience. As a Nigerian born and raised in the UK, Brenique has risen through the ranks as a musical artiste, bringing the best of Nigeria and the UK together. Brenique’s voice, soulful and inherently emotional, is a reflection of her Gospel-inspired upbringing, as well as the subtle complexity that is contemporary Soul and R&B music.
Her covers of popular songs, which spread through her online presence throughout the course of 2020, first introduced Brenique as a naturally gifted artiste with a range of influences. By the time she released her debut single “Fearless” in 2021 and Sessions with Brenique, her own signature creative outlet, in 2022, it was clear that Brenique had an overarching vision informed by her faith, emotional honesty, and dedication to both artistry and the surrounding community.
These influences are expressed to the fullest extent on Brenique’s latest release, Oasis, an EP that consists of five tracks that create the space that Brenique seems to have always been interested in. This is an artiste who distils her sound to its emotional essence, and nowhere is this more apparent than on the first track of Oasis, “Doer of Your Word”. A gentle guitar strum establishes the scene before Brenique’s vocals enter to deliver the track’s thesis statement, which goes like this: “What you say is what you do / You never fail / You never lie / You never go back on your word.”
The chorus that follows is beautiful, with Brenique’s vocals soaring to a soft crescendo over a drum pattern that features a lot of toms and kicks, delivering the lines “You are my comfort, You are my safe refuge” in a transcendent way.
However, there is a slight change in the mood on “Light in the Dark”, which still stays true to the theme of worship. The jazzy guitar intro moves smoothly across the slow and groovy beat with a nimble melody. The striking moment of modulation by the backup singer also sets the stage well for Brenique’s entrance. Her vocals also come in softly as she sings, “King of the Universe / The way, truth, and life,” staying true to her faith and scripture in a very personal way. But it is in the chorus that the song reveals its true emotional depth. The song “Jesus, you’re the light in the dark” is a declaration of faith and a source of solace.
The reflective mood is further enhanced on “Prayer”, which is dominated by soulful piano chords and Brenique’s gentle vocals. Brenique’s voice soars over the accompaniment to deliver lines that acknowledge God’s role as “Alpha and Omega” and express faith in his reliability. But the song’s focal point comes when the lyrics move to a supplicatory tone. The repeated request to “Father, take over the earth / Take over homes / Take over our nation” gives the song a sense of community and puts the listener in the position of one praying.
While “Prayer” focuses inwardly, “Shine Your Light” focuses outwardly. With a strong backing, the song is arguably the most motivational on the EP, with Brenique taking the listener on a tour through such lines as “You’ve got to believe in yourself / If you don’t, no one will” and “There’s a winner in you, there’s a star in you”. The message is presented over a rock-inclined backing, with electric guitar textures prominent in the mix to help move the song along, in keeping with the message.
The EP ends with the classic hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, which she interprets with a soft and contemplative quality, her voice floating above minimal accompaniment as she leans into the hymn’s ageless promise of divine grace.
As a whole, Oasis is an impressive and complete work, a heartfelt collection of soulful gospel music that is as thoughtful and engaging as its title suggests. The EP progresses with intention, from personal dedication, through prayer, and outward, and it is this thoughtful approach that lends the record its completeness.
At the heart of Oasis is the voice of Brenique, and it is, without question, the most dominant feature of the project. It is an instrument that she uses with considerable skill, one that can traverse the melody of the song while also imbuing every word with emotion.
The production, drawing from balladry, jazz, R&B, and gospel, keeps things simple and in control to ensure that the voice is always at the centre and not in competition with them. This is what holds the EP together and allows the tone to develop in a thoughtful and deliberate manner. It also has its drawbacks. At times, the songs seem to be in a similar place emotionally and ease into one another instead of being more differentiated in their approach. Perhaps a bit more variation in terms of pacing and arrangement could have given the work more definition in terms of progression.
Still, Oasis succeeds entirely on its own terms. It understands its purpose and remains faithful to it by offering listeners a moment of stillness.
Lyricism – 1.4
Tracklisting – 1.3
Sound Engineering – 1.3
Vocalisation – 1.5
Listening Experience – 1.5
Rating – 7.0/10
Abioye Damilare Samson is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment industry. His works have appeared in Afrocritik, Republic NG, NATIVE Mag, Newlines Magazine, The Nollywood Reporter, Culture Custodian, 49th Street, and more. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle