A rush of synthy uptempo guitar riffs open Oredolapo Otedola’s “Father’s Food” with a triumphant aura. The Christian worship track arrives as an audacious re-announcement of Otedola’s artistry, sprawling with themes of faith-based devotion and supplication to God. It instantly became a playlist favourite for this writer, for several reasons, especially its brilliant composition and emotive delivery.

Firstly, Otedola’s harmonies in “Father’s Food” take flight from a hangar of synthy piano/violin chords, fluid percussion and rock guitar riffs. It’s layered in an intricate arrangement that positions the percussion and chords as the song’s tonal lead, while syncing seamlessly with the rest of the melodies, including the song’s vocals. The result is a typical vintage gospel worship track, reminiscent of classics like Women of Faith’s 2000s hit, “All Things Are Possible”. In “Father’s Food”, Otedola’s composition arrives like a soul-stirring tune, compassing towards catharsis throughout the entire 6-minute spin.

‘Worship is my father’s food; I won’t stop praising,’ Otedola’s sharp tenor delivers the song’s hook and overall core messaging with a distinct emphasis that eases the song’s message without overwhelming the listener.

Sonically, he achieves such lyrical emphasis with a melodramatic cadence that drifts from soulful and slow-burn to intense and heartfelt. The choral backing vocals, echoing, “I won’t stop praising”, and the underlying ‘stretto’, which loosely refers to a power surge moment when the entire ensemble comes alive in the song, elevate the song’s lyrical emphasis, easy recall and replay value. It arrives as a didactic track, with such an intense delivery that reassures the listener of hope in God.

Otedola’s choice of harmonies in “Father’s Food” surfaces like engine fluid to the song, lubricating it at certain portions with just enough melancholia and excitement that keep it enjoyable. Each note is sung with heartfelt expression, while Otedola’s periodic bursts of chants, “We won’t stop!” butters the record with a vulnerable, charged, intimate and soulful feel. ‘For the praises of God would continually be on your lips/ So let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!’

Apart from the clear and catchy lyricism, “Father’s Food” also soars for its enjoyability. It feels like a cohesive spin, thanks to Otedola’s arrangement which tucks in sonic twists in each melodic section. It achieves a giddy balance of tension and relief, which translates to a record that pre-climaxes from the song’s intense pace with a soothing and introspective feel. It spins as an easily digestible track, with the sonorous vocals from Otedola and the choir complementing its sonic complexity.

After a stretched intensity from the fourth minute, the song starts to sizzle into a slow-burn finish, all the while carrying the listeners along with raspy drum improvisations, climaxing chords and suspenseful pauses. It finally draws its curtains, with its rock guitars fading the track into a memorable climax. The song hardly misses any moment to stir emotion, with apt delivery, electrifying instrumentation and a powerful message. It lacks any waning moment, elevating Otedola’s groove as a brilliant contemporary Afro gospel worship spin.

Overall, “Father’s Food” connects as an uplifting, deeply melodic and relaxing spin that’s tailored to encourage Christian devotion and faith in God across its audience. It’s a firm progression from Otedola’s earlier spins, including “Holy Are You Lord” and “Celebrate”, highlighting his prowess as a Christian gospel worship maestro.

The record arrives as an evergreen spin, one that is capable of spotlighting Otedola in the scoreboard of contemporary gospel music prodigies across African music. “Father’s Food” sits at 7/10.

Born Oredolapo Otedola Oluwatobi, Oredolapo Otedola is a Nigerian guitarist, music producer, and contemporary gospel music artist. Raised in Lagos, the Ondo State native began his music journey at the age of four. He grew up honing his skill as a highly versatile musician, renowned for his mastery as a lead guitarist, composer, and creative collaborator. His technical precision, musical depth, and adaptability across genres have positioned him as one of Nigeria’s most sought-after guitarists.

A committed artiste, Otedola has also worked with a host of mainstream artists, producers, filmmakers, and global brands including Sinach, Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Victoria Orenze, Dee Jones, Cobhams Asuquo, Olumide Iyun, Sunmisola Agbebi, Olaitan Dada, Rotimi Akinfenwa (Rotimikeys), Kent Edunjobi, Kunle Afolayan Productions, MTN, and Globacom. Beyond performance and recording, Oredolapo specializes in guitar pedalboard design and custom tone creation, providing tailored solutions for guitarists worldwide. His work in tone architecture reflects a deep understanding of modern worship, live performance demands, and studio excellence.