Kreyolicious music review…in which—in which I sit and listen to an album by a Haitian artist or group. Today’s review? Ascension by a band called Cruz La.
The album starts off with a popping track called “Ou Pap 6”. This track runs like its running a triathlon. It’s a motivational-type track that doesn’t come off too boastful. You could probably make it part of a workout playlist. It has a cheer-leading quality to it. The album actually ends on that same note with another track entitled “Nan” [In] featuring Ti Mando Almando.
So what does Ascension have to offer in terms of love songs? “Peur D’aimer” tells the story of a man who’s been thrown under the bus one time too many when it comes to matters of the heart. He’s been emotionally pillaged (Can I get a podyab?). As the song goes on, however, it becomes plain that the narrator has some sort of penchant for dramatic relationships.
“I Can’t Wait” really caught my attention. The story line is something that could have been pulled from a contemporary advice column—you know out of a Strawberry Letter-type relationship show. A man is in love with a woman, who’s tied herself to another man. Sounds typical? Not quite. The woman in question is being physically abused by her current partner. The narrator loves her dearly and tries to pry her out of the relationship, but she’s loathe to leave. “I don’t believe on paradise on earth/I’ve heard your promises too many times,” the lead singer croons. How can a woman who’s being offered healthy love stay indifferent to that love, while choosing to be grossly mistreated by some violent beast? Some folks are creatures of habit. Unfortunately, the song ends with the narrator still pleading with her to leave the destructive relationship.
So the song “Ou Nan Sens Mwen” (the equivalent of I’m Feeling You?) Oh goody…a duet! This duet features the Cruz La crew with a singer named Fatima Altieri. This song would be a great wedding proposal song or a first-dance-as-husband-and-wife song. “Ou Nan Sens Mwen” starts sweet and ends swiftly, making you wish it were longer. But there’s always the replay button!
The song “Babysit”, featuring Dot Twist drew my interest just from the title. Would it be about a woman with kids using a man for his money? Would it be about a man who’s dealing with an emotionally-immature woman? I eagerly listened to figure it out! So, the latter conjecture proved was almost correct. It’s about a man who’s being squeezed and used by some lazy and non-working chick.
Ou wè figi’m make ATM?
Does my face got ATM scribbled on it?
Hilarious.
Okay, so I was sort of right about “Babysit”. Would “Obsession” be a stalker song? Let’s see. Well, not so much. But it chronicles the emotions of a man who’s madly in love. I mean madly. Smooth melody we have out there. Ooh, her happiness is his priority. She okipe his mind. Oh, goody! Oh, wait. He’s trying to reel her in. They’re not in a relationship. This may explain why he’s so lovesick. Making all those promises, huh? This is the chase phase of the relationship. Ooh, the production on this track is too smooth. Juliet, give Romeo a chance please. Oh, wait Juliet and Romeo died…Er, no…let’s see whose love story ended on a good note? Rebekah give Isaac a chance please. There!
Speaking of smooth love songs. The second track “Ou Dous Pou Mwen” can be filed under that category. The lyrics are practically reiterating the message in “Obsession”, but sounds less stalkerish.
In “Poze”, a woman with a scarlet past is the subject of the narrator’s affection. He loves her. He doesn’t care about her past or the gossiping tongues who are constantly reminding her (and him), about reputation-destroyed past. In the second verse, things have turned up for the better for the couple, and those who used to backbite her now want to be her. Well, good!
While Ascension is about the joys of love, Cruz La also addresses endings. With the song “Sa Fini”, the lyrics acknowledge that where love is concerned, there’s going to be excruciatingly painful moments, silent treatments.
So there you have it folks…yet another episode of Kreyolicious Music Review….
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