‘”Boy Alone” proved to be the most lasting; evolving into themes of hedonism and often nihilism, the album’s minimalist style allowed his emotive range to shine through beautifully, resulting in not only nominations for Album of the Year but also well-crafted insights on why it stands out as one of the most unforgettable debut LPs we’ve ever experienced.
The six new tracks in this deluxe edition all reflect that sense of brooding. In “Reason”, Omah Lay presents a combination of danceable melodies and introspection with a philosopher’s straightforwardness, while he constructs the hook and other elements with a poignant lightness in his lyrics.
On “Come Closer,” he asserts with pointed wisdom, “Do you even listen to yourself, you’re living inside your head.” Even when he explores romantic themes in “It’s Yours” and “Joanna,” there’s an underlying hint of danger, as the echoes of past traumas inhibit his openness to love. “Soso” was the last he added as a remix of the original song.
