If you’re familiar with the soundscapes of Norwegian artist AURORA or Nigerian soundsmith Brymo, then you would have an innate appreciation for ambient music, especially the experimental kind. It is quite impressive to see another troubadour from an adjacent music scene, like Kachi Kevin, create a song essentially built around this soothing, sombre and immersive template.

On his recent jam, “Journey,” the faith-based crooner unfolds an exciting lounge pop and R&B fusion coloured with distinct synthy and ambient elements. “Journey” opens with gentle hums and a soft piano chord progression, underneath which Kevin’s voice drifts gently as he sings, “Omo this journey don plenty/Oluwa show me your mercy/Make I no lose my focus/Make I no lose my settings.”

Over that slow pace, the rich synthy ambient harmonies drown the entire instrumental section of the song, making it sound like someone is playing music in the background while, somewhere else, a poet is reciting a rendition. It sounds very poetic, especially with how charismatic his pacing becomes.

What switches up the ante in the composition is the synthy ambient chords, which serve as both the flanking background music, or what we call the melodic bed, and the melodic lead. It is upon that foundation that Kevin directs the flow of everything else in the music, including his vocal passages.

The songwriting in “Journey” stands out as vulnerable and profound. Its message expresses the feelings of someone in a really tight corner in life, reflecting upon their situation and shaking off the despair that might tempt their spirit. It encourages conviction and trust in God’s mercy and support through life.

The real icing on the cake for this record is its code-switching lyricism. Throughout the song, Kevin Nigerianises his delivery with lyrics quoted in Pidgin English, especially when he stops chanting and becomes more melodic, singing, “Oluwa gbemi soke/Oya tell me it’s okay.”

It sounds like he is singing with backing vocalists to create that duplicating voice effect. If you have ever been in a choir, you would understand how such collaborative harmonies can extend or stretch the elasticity of a record.

In “Journey,” Kachi Kevin takes us on quite a voyage down a deeply emotive slope, starting from where you feel his brooding and distress and moving towards comfort and reassurance. This is especially clear in the melodic contrast between his chants and the sticky, stretchy notes and melismas he uses.

In the chorus, he sings, “Hide me from the enemies/See as them dey wait for me/Save me from their hands/Oluwa fight for me.” Then, in the bridge, where he goes, “Under your blood, you cover my head/Under your blood, you cover my life,” he centres and channels the song’s most cathartic moment.

There, he reduces the slow drum kicks that have trailed the entire record and allows his voice to interface with the synthy harmonies themselves. In fact, that is when the pianos exercise restraint and everything falls into a seamless mesh of sonics and ideas.

As far as the production goes, “Journey” is quite an experimental feat. It packs both shock and replay value, especially with its soothing tonal drift. It is a very sombre track, but it is also one that leaves you feeling some sort of release after listening. At some point, it drifts from dark to warm in terms of tempo and feel.

Points also go to the production for its roundedness and how cohesive the song feels. Despite the drowning melodies of the synthy chords, there is still clarity in its mix, with Kevin’s vocals sticking out enough to place emphasis on his lyrics.

Overall, “Journey” is an ambitious track racing towards evergreen status. It carries a compelling message and is laden with one of the most important elements in music itself: restraint. On this song, Kevin wears his hat as a master composer, understanding just how much experimentation the record needs and choosing a minimalist pacing direction that ends up becoming a masterpiece.

Save for the brevity of the record, it almost feels like Kevin gets tired at some point while trying to extend its possibilities. The storytelling could have used more room, perhaps through a second and third verse. It has just one verse and sparse lyricism, although the writing is still profound.

It is an interesting record nonetheless, one that spotlights Kevin’s fast-rising artistry as a talented singer and crafty composer. It is suited for a gentle, reflective moment, perhaps in the mornings or evenings. It also celebrates the idea of experimenting with music, irrespective of whether it is secular or faith-based.

As a spiritually filled record with shock value, replay value, resonance and overall enjoyability, “Journey” sits at an 8/10.