LOUDER ACTIONS VOL 2 by JOKA.
LOUDER ACTIONS VOL 2 ALLOWS JOKA BUILD A HOME FOR HIS LISTENERS, A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN FIND PIECES OF THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THEIR CURRENT EMOTIONS PERFECTLY WOVEN INTO SOOTHING MELODIES…
After releasing his Forest green EP about 3 months ago, Ugandan singer/songwriter, Joka is back with a 5-track project tagged LOUDER ACTIONS Vol. 2. In this project Joka delivers a collection of songs which courses through topics such as love, lust, loyalty and toxicity. Co-produced by Oddz You’re a bad boy and GEOX the producer, this EP allows Joka build a home for his listeners, a place where everyone can find pieces of their experience and their current emotions perfectly woven into soothing melodies.
Unlike his debut EP LOUDER ACTIONS Vol 1, this volume houses five tracks inclusive of three features. The EP unveils another layer of Joka’s artistry as he navigates topics like love, lust, loyalty and others.
Joka begins the first track, “WXMXN,” with, “Woman, tell me what you want, amma do it for you” With this confession, he sets the theme of the song. He draws the listeners’ attention with one distinctive thing and that’s his sonic versatility and dark lyricism. The mid-tempo record sees Joka singing about missing an undisclosed woman.
The song has a dramatic execution signaled by heavy piano chords, groovy yet subtle baseline and the dark sensation of the saxophone. On the first verse, Joka showers encomiums on her, promising to change his way, and compromise for her: “Woman, tell me what you want, amma do it for you. Woman, tell me where you want amma go there for you.” What’s love without compromising?
In “XN MY MXND” Joka and Katumba Baker deliver an anthem for people that are madly in love. Baker sings, “On my mind, On my mind” which hammers on the importance of communication and checking up on the people we love. With “XN MY MXND),” Joka promises to be there for his woman, and acknowledges his shortcomings in the relationship while trying to make up for his inconsistencies.
However, before you are tempted to think the song is fully Joka’s idea, initially the song idea was a clear definition of how Katumba Baker felt an undisclosed girl. Although some parts like the name of the girl didn’t make the cut, Joka and Baker shoulder the bulk of the song and deliver deliciously. Their vocals swim beautifully over the instrumentals, disguising clever, naughty wordplay with romantic, sugary melodies.
The next song, “XGXSLX,” sees Joka singing about remorse and lust, the importance of second thinking decisions and the way humans hide their vulnerability. In this track, Joka diverts from issues on love and friendship to those about the state of the human mind. GEOX the producer bestows Joka with an instrumental in his signature style; a minimalist Afro beats bop with energetic percussion-driven drums, thick bass runs, and sparse melodic phrases. On this song, Joka displays his mastery of melodies by once again adopting the sonic versatility heard in the first track WXMXN.
He employs an array of rhythms and tones that keep the listener engrossed and engaged. His singing is surprisingly strong, with smooth vocals and rich supporting harmonies. The lyricism on this track is simple yet witty.
“XGXSLX” embraces lust and remorse at the same time. Joka sings the first verse as he talks about a woman’s beauty and body features not forgetting her chokehold on the creator’s craft. He further expresses desire to be the only choice of this female figure but is slow to act due to an undisclosed reason. Joka seems to be more expressive and appreciative on this particular afro beat track. This song is mid-tempo, perhaps because of the theme.
In the Highlife track, “PXXSXNXXS” Joka collaborates with Ugandan rapper, GEOXwill, and together they make confessions to their love interests. The instrumental is rather upbeat and lively, featuring fast-paced Amapiano drums, pounding basses, and bright chords. GEOXwill glides smoothly delivering a befitting verse to the song.
The chorus is delivered as smoothly as the verses and features heavenly choral supporting vocals that lend the song an outterspace sensibility Which Joka heavily employed in the execution of this project. The song sees Joka and GEOXwill reminiscing on the folly, infidelity, and toxicity of an undisclosed girl at the same time exhibiting lusty ambitions regardless.
The kicker is that the song isn’t approached through the lens of regret, but more along the lines of a cautionary tale that espouses the way of the world.
“BXNXNX’S XNTXRLXDX” is yet another love song, and it is dedicated to all the lovers. The upbeat OLUVANYUMA COVER has Meya Banana singing about her love interest and how she plans to care for him. Banana’s vocals shine on this bounce, in her churning out relatable and infectious lyrics that carry emotion
With LOUDER ACTIONS Vol. 2, It is obvious that Joka keeps developing himself with every project. On this EP, his choice of features was properly picked. Each featured artiste understood their roles. When you listen to songs like “XN MY MXND,” “PXXSXNXXS,” and “BXNXNX’S XNTXRLXDX,” there is an obvious synergy and balance. Each artiste complement the other and nothing feels out of place.
