Nigeria: Suté Iwar releases debut album ULTRALIGHT

The 15-tracker, mixed by Sam Harper and mastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery Studio, was released on London- and Johannesburg-based label Outer South.

Thematically, the collection explores space, sound, love and lust. It features a broad line-up from West Africa and the UK, including WurlD, Tim Lyre, Lex Amor, Kadiata, Raytheboffin, Tay Iwar, Shalom Dubas, Ogranya, Efe Oraka and Twelve XII.

Suté Iwar says the project is “a journey that takes you through a range of emotions, from the high energy and excitement of life to the introspection and self-reflection that comes with it … My goal was to create music that speaks to the heart and soul, to evoke feelings of love, hope and inspiration. Each track on the album tells a story and takes the listener on a journey through soundscapes that are both familiar and new.”

ULTRALIGHT was led with three singles: the R&B-infused ‘Judah Lion’, ‘Space Cowboy’, which finds its author switching between lilting harmonies and quick-fire bars, paying homage to the Japanese anime series Cowboy Bebop, and ‘Star Player’, a funk- and R&B-inspired offering.

The album’s focus track ‘Meditate’, an aching groove, is propped up by fragile piano keys and Suté professing a need for exercising continuing mindfulness, a message to himself to stay grounded among the chaos and distractions of our increasingly complicated lives. 

“As an artist, I often find myself navigating the fast-paced energy of the city, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders,” he said about ‘Meditate’. “But through it all, I’ve found solace in the practice of meditation. It allows me to escape the chaos and find peace in the present moment. ‘Meditate’ is a reflection of my journey, a reminder to slow down and breathe amidst the whirlwind of life.”

“Through my music, I hope to inspire others to find their own moments of peace and tranquility,” he added.