British/Nigerian singer-songwriter Gabzy is back with a double single release, “Round 1,” a bold release that contrasts both sides of his artistry. Whether he’s coming through with that high-energy confidence or dipping into the introspective, Gabzy shows he’s a master of balance, representing the alter-egos of Gabzy and Malone and honestly owning them in a way that both feels like an intentional act while still seeming entirely natural.
The first track, “Don’t Play with Me,” produced by Puffy and out next week, is an unfettered affirmation of dominance, swagger, and self-worth. This is Malone at full throttle, unrepentant, untouchable, and luxuriating. The slick and pulsing production provides the perfect setting for lyrics that run high-impact with ambition and success.
But as Malone flexes, Gabzy takes us back down into the depths of recollections with “Summer Nights.” Here, the sound becomes more personal memories clamped between neon lights, emotions still simmering, a heart suspended somewhere between then and now. It is a track that encapsulates the heaviness of unfinished emotional business, in which booze dulls the hurt but fails to extinguish the remaining embers of affection. The production is warm, ambient, and deeply emotive, which suits Gabzy’s smooth, expressive vocals well. It’s a reminder that even the most confident of us bear our scars, and, at times, the night magnifies what the day attempts to conceal.
Connect with Gabzy on Instagram – @itsgabzy
