Very few artists have the power to craft infectious hooks that
you’re caught singing without even noticing like Peruzzi and this is the
greatest attribute he brings on his debut EP, ”Heartwork.”

Peruzzi is the new ‘flava in the ear’
for anyone seeking a commercial hit, his ability to craft a good
sing-along hook is the reason why Davido snapped him up
and has hung onto him like a member of the DP crew [Davido and Peruzzi]
rather than an artist he signed, featuring on a number of records
together with a joint EP also reportedly in the works.

Despite 2baba‘s legacy and discography of hit anthems, Peruzzi is the reason why we scream to ‘Amaka’
every time it gets played and while the world longed for his solo
singles, he kept our appetites whet with timely clips on his social
media pages of him singing in the studio that served as an assurance
that our man was working and with time, we shall see the result.

Peruzzi is a ladies man and this is evident in the range of topics on his EP, ‘Heartwork’ (Instagram/Peruzzi)

Having lost out to Teni in the Headies 2018,
Rookie of the year category, the duo again went head to head all year
and while the former consistently set the pace with her singles, Peruzzi
kept up on her heels with an impressive list of features.

And on Friday, December 21, 2018, he released his debut EP, ”Heartwork.”

Now there is one thing common with pop music
in recent years, an artist discovers a particular sound that captures
the attention of young listeners, then they repeatedly deploy this sound
over the next couple of songs, so that people would be forced to get
into it, making it more of a trend chase than actual musical growth and
in the chase for appeal and instant success, they lose their originality
or ability to create from their heart and that is what ”Heartwork” suffers from.

Peruzzi [Instagram/Peruzzi]

The EP opens with the ‘Intro’ featuring Sugarbana,
a mellow tune that sees Peruzzi officially announce himself and what he
is about with Sugarbana lacing with some melodious reggae vibe with the
next track, ‘Did You’? following an identical pattern but this time narrating a tale of dishonesty in a relationship.

On ‘Champion Lover’, the project’s first guest artist comes in form of Burna Boy
as they deliver one of the EP’s choice records. The lyrics isn’t really
anything memorable, but they casually await that lover’s call as Burna
adds some spice to the song making it a truly enjoyable listen.

‘Craze’ has that clean stylistic approach to his sound as he brings the ‘Amaka’ character back to life. On the reggae-inspired ‘Dina’ featuring Jamaican superstar Popcaan, the vocal styles of himself and Popcaan provides a good blend to make this a vibe.

‘Bleed’ is a powerful record and a
personal favorite. One that takes a fairly different route, delivered on
soft drumming beats as he talks about waiting for love.

Davido lends a helping hand on ‘Try’ as they create that rhythmic sound that we have become accustomed to. ‘Majesty’ is that standout record that can easily make for a radio single with the EP closing with ‘Sangbana’ which sounds like something better suited for a Wande Coal.

Peruzzi had a really busy year, doing enough
to catapult his name to star status, largely with the help of his DMW
family, ending the year with more than 20 collaborations/features to his
name.

He is a lover boy and that is evident in his topics; [love and good vibes] on the project.

‘Heartwork’
is eleven tracks of what we have come to expect but not what we hoped
it will be. It is more of Peruzzi the good ‘feature artist’ and less of
the breakout talent who can hold his own. Very few surprises or stretch
of his limit with each track having identical flows, similar beat
structures and recycled lines.

All in all, the story of Peruzzi in the last
year will likely read thus; a talented singer, not entirely unique but
armed with infectious vocals and well crafted hooks that almost always
compels an exciting listen.

Pleasant in most songs, average on many others
but doing enough to become a dominant leech on the pop scene in 2018
but when it mattered most, on his own body of work, he somehow stutters
on the shoulders of expectations failing to provide a climax to match
the build-up and fandom he enjoyed all year.

”Heartwork” EP provides more of a
good starting point rather than a compelling introduction into the world
of one predicted as the next big thing.

Rating: 3/5

Ratings

1-Dull

2-Boring

2.5-Average

3-Worth Checking Out

3.5-Hot

4-Smoking Hot

4.5-Amazing

5-Perfection