Throughout I Dream In Color, Magixx wears his emotions on his sleeve, and delivers a project filled with vulnerability and self-reflection.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Mavin Records has built its reputation on an instinctive ability to spot, nurture, and elevate artistes with a fine balance of vocal fluidity, stylistic range, and pop sensibilities. With a sharp eye for musicians who bring both ingenuity and depth to the genre, the label has played a pivotal role in shaping the present and future of Afro-Pop.
Amongst its signees is Magixx, a singer-songwriter whose smooth delivery and genre-fluid approach have steadily set him apart. Since signing with Mavin in 2021, he has delivered a steady run of compelling records, two EPs—Magixx and Atom—and now, his most expansive project yet, I Dream In Color.
Like many of his labelmates—Rema, Ayra Starr, Boy Spyce, and Bayanni—Magixx’s introduction came in the form of a self-titled EP, a rite of passage for Mavin’s newest acts. The five-track project was an initiation into his sonic universe that hinted at his melodic instincts, but it was “Love Don’t Cost a Dime” the project’s standout opener, that provided the launchpad for his ascent.
When the track started picking up momentum, Magixx released a revamped version featuring Ayra Starr in 2022, a move that broadened his reach and reinforced his credentials as a vocalist with an enchanting presence and a sharp pen.
By the time he followed up with his sophomore EP, Atom in 2022, Magixx had developed a reputation as an artiste with an undeniable gift, yet conversations around him often came laced with the suggestion that he was “underrated”.
It’s a term that tends to cling to artistes when the public perception of their talent doesn’t match their mainstream acclaim, and for Magixx, it became a talking point he pushed back against in the weeks leading up to the release of his debut album.
But beyond the discourse, what has remained constant is his commitment to his craft and his evolution as an artiste intent on staking his claim on the global stage. Each release has peeled back new layers of his artistry, revealing an artiste unafraid to explore and fine-tune his sound.
That growth crystallises in his debut album, I Dream In Color, a project that offers the most expansive look yet at his musical range and artistic ambitions.
For an artiste who has spent the last few years refining his sound, opening his debut album with a song titled “Consistency” is a nod to the steady work that has shaped his music journey.
Over slow, airy production, Magixx reaffirms his work ethic with confidence: “Because me know for my life say me gonna be a special one/ So, me no fright, I put in grind and work”. It’s a declaration rooted in an unshakable belief in his artistry and the relentless drive to keep pushing forward.
In Yoruba cosmology, “Ori” is the seat of destiny, the essence of a person’s being that shapes their path and steers their fortune. It is believed to rule, control, and guide life’s course, making its alignment crucial to success and fulfillment.
On the Biano Efubi-produced “Ori”, Magixx taps into this spiritual significance to craft a personal prayer for divine alignment and prosperity. “Ma sho oun ti ba fe ah ah/ Kori gberekomi gberekomi oo”, he sings, calling on his Ori to usher in good fortune and clear the road ahead. It’s an introspective track wrapped in melodic flow.
“With you I’m okay, okay okay, all day and all night/ when you dey by my side”, Magixx croons on the infectious hook of “With You”, with a silky vocal that flows with the ease of someone fully surrendered to love atop a thumping Caribbean rhythm laced with warm guitar strings.
From being love-drunk on “With You” to wading through the wreckage of a toxic relationship on “Alchl”, Magixx unpacks the bitter aftertaste of romance gone wrong. It’s a descent into heartbreak that deepens on “Winter and Summer”, the pre-released emotive R&B track where he lays bare the ache of lost love in a way that is strikingly relatable. What makes the pain hit even harder is the haunting female choral background.
If “Winter and Summer” explores the pain of heartbreak, “Okay” offers a hand to pull through the weight of it all while clinging to optimism. With aching vocals, Magixx finds solace in the belief that no matter how tough things get, pushing forward is the only way. “Yeah, we gon’ be alright”, he sings.
That message of hope and sense of optimism spills into “Eleven”, where he delivers the line “Person wey see 10, go see eleven” in the same breathy cadence as “Okay” which makes the transition between both songs seamless.
Magixx leans into his playful side on “Sexy Lady”, a buoyant track where shimmering guitar riffs and polyrhythmic, bouncy drums converge to create a groove that is familiar. There’s an unmissable nod to the freewheeling flow of Wizkid’s “Pakurumo”, as Magixx delivers his lines with an infectious ease.
On “Vibration”, Magixx taps into the high-energy rhythms of Eastern Nigeria music by teaming up with Jeriq for a propulsive cut that bridges Afro-Pop and traditional Igbo sounds. The Oghene gyration groove sets the foundation, but it’s the nod to Highlife legend, Mike Ejeagha—via a sample of his 1983 classic “Enyi Ga Achi” in the intro and the outro—that deepens the track’s roots. Over the rolling percussion and the piano strings, Magixx and Jeriq deliver their verses with ease.
Magixx’s ability to shapeshift across moods and narratives is one of his most compelling traits. He moves from introspective lyricism to hedonistic indulgence on “Bad Decisions & Foreplay”, a velvety R&B-laden track that stands as his most sensual offering on the album.
But that fluidity wavers on “Sempe”, where his familiar Afro-Pop cadence coasts without much energy. On “Konibaje”, he circles back to the themes of resilience and optimism—“and if I see you well, say we go chop knuckle”—but it’s the celestial production that does the heavy lifting.
The album crescendos on the catchy mid-tempo “Voices”, where Magixx unpacks the weight of betrayal and self-doubt, drowning out the relentless noise of opinions with liquor and a forced smile.
Throughout I Dream In Color, Magixx wears his emotions on his sleeve, and delivers a project filled with vulnerability and self-reflection. His songwriting is often sharp, as it captures the depth of ambition, the thrill of love, the ache of heartbreak and the pain of betrayal with an evocative touch that makes the highs feel euphoric and the lows deeply relatable. Over 13 tracks, he moves between basking in affection and nursing wounds with an earnestness that pulls listeners into his orbit.
But for all its emotional depth and delivery, I Dream In Color rarely strays from Magixx’s comfort zone. The production, while near-flawless in its execution, leans heavily on his familiar Afro-Pop palette—buoyant rhythms, airy melodies, and smooth vocal runs—which creates a sense of predictability even when the subject matter yearns for more daring sonic risks.
Still, there’s an undeniable warmth to I Dream In Color, a sense that Magixx isn’t trying to force a viral hit or chase trends, but rather piece together a body of work that reflects where he is at this stage of his career.
Lyricism – 1.6
Tracklisting – 1.2
Sound Engineering – 1.5
Vocalisation – 1.5
Listening Experience – 1.4
Rating – 7.2/10
Abioye Damilare is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment Industry. Reading new publications and listening to music are two of his favourite pastimes when he is not writing. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle