Even derivative music can feel good…really good

On February 10, 2023, multi-faceted Nigerian artiste Pheelz releases his second EP titled Pheelz Good. The 8-track EP contained previously released singles such as "Finesse," "Electricity," "Ballin" and "Stand By You" - the former peaked at No. 1 for three weeks in 2022. With only four new tracks to offer, Pheelz had a major task to deliver like never before and he did.

Virgil Abloh once said “a new design can be created by changing an original design by just three percent”. This comes to mind when the idea of Pop music is brought up.

Nothing exemplifies this like the "Pheelz Good album"; Light, breezy, sparse on complexities and still stunningly innovative. The feeling of its derivativeness continues to hit when songs like “Ballin '' or “Pheelz Like Summer” are spun. This appears to have been done with the intent of keeping the music as formulaic as possible and preserving the listeners’ sense of familiarity with the melodies and songs as a whole.

This is a very well threaded path for pop artists but is one fraught with problems of redundancy and loss of luster.

Contrary to issues commonly encountered with "derivativeness", this Pheelz offering is a sweet smelling savor of deliciousness and creativity.

The EP works because of the artist himself. He crafts melodic tunes around industry vetted chord progressions and in the end hits heights that are commendable for an effort that appears to have been put out to whet appetites ahead of a more robust work (maybe an album?) soon to be released.

Here are the three major takeaways from 'Pheelz Good' EP.

Pheelz gives the "feels" with his vocals.

One listen to the EP and the listener is left with the impression: "Damn, pheelz can really sing". Pheelz's sultry and highly "androgenous" vocals could make anyone feel wet on a dry sunny day. He maintains a lower octave for much of the EP and gives off a beach vibe. "Pheelz Like Summer" really felt like summer and was an impressive addition to his already admirable discography. The vocals and frisky modulation on "Pablo Escobar" were a thing of pure ecstasy. Pheelz continues to move like an artist ready for the next level and about to make his mark.

Pheelz is still an amazing producer.

Since his sojourn from behind the production board to inside the studio proper he has continued to mesmerize with his knack for creative musings and infectious melodies. With songs like "Finesse" and "Electricity" he displays his ability to conjure up music of pure delight with titillating percussion, layered sound effects and excellent production overall.

Vastly adept at musical instruments and a multi-instrumentalist by trade, he showcases this with devastating riffs and spine tingling arrangements that increase replay value of this EP. This all but guarantees its repeated spin on air and in public spaces. His ability to create crowd pleasers as well as "air pod" friendly music for solo listening has continued to catch the eye.

This continues on the EP. Like his predecessors and fellow sojourners of the producer to artist route like Ye West and Pharrell Williams; Pheelz also possesses a predilection for avant garde type production in the Afro-fusion scheme of things.

Not only magicians make magic

Pheelz keeps thrilling us with his immense talent and magnetic work ethic. An electric performer on his day, he wears his craft like a bag of tricks. We look forward to seeing him pull off his greatest trick yet…which is to climb to the stratosphere with only an accordion and Yeezy Crocs.

See him at the top.

'Pheelz Good' is available on all digital platforms. Listen here