And we’re mad over this one, too! But will our third song today also score a [7.17]…?

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[7.17]

Anjy Ou: Nigeria’s favourite Ghanaian Mr. Eazi almost lost his favoured status last month by suggesting that Nigeria’s current sound owes a lot to Ghanaian music. Nigerian pride couldn’t take it, but he’s absolutely correct — Ghana has been influencing Nigerian music (and vice versa) since before Wizkid brought azonto down the coast. The popularity of “Mad Over You” proves his point — the smooth hip-life groove has been over the airwaves and on every wedding DJ deck (if you didn’t know, weddings are the new club in this recession). While an Igbo boy saying he hopes a girl’s love is “sweet pass shitor” is hilarious to me, you can’t deny the infectious beat and the earnest crooning. And that hook with the mumbled lyrics is surprisingly the hottest part of the song. While #JollofWars and an up-and-down political relationship currently keep Ghana and Nigeria at odds, the music seems to argue that we’re better together than apart.
[7]

Alfred Soto: I love its sheen: the synth pads, rhythm guitar, whistle. The steady groove conveys an attachment less mad than the title suggests.
[7]

Iain Mew: The gorgeously liquid array of sounds conjures an underwater shuffle where the occasional glistening creature floats past. Yet they still make the energetic dance moments of the lyrics work too, which is some achievement.
[8]

Will Adams: Layers upon layers of watercolor tones set to a sweet message. The mix could have used a second look, but this is worth revisiting on its instrumental breaks alone.
[6]

Hannah Jocelyn: The lush production here reminds me a lot of Kiss Daniel’s “Mama” from last summer; both songs hail from Nigeria (even though “Mad Over You” is about a girl from/apparently influenced by music from Ghana) respectively, have a decent amount of Western influence, but with production touches, whether through traditional percussion or mountains of multi-tracks, that give each their own sound. Here, the touches include synth beeps and keyboard effects, which beautifully add to the atmosphere of the song, and ear-catching whenever the song threatens to become repetitive. It’s not as fun as “Mama,” as Douglas Jack Agu is not as distinctive a vocalist, but it’s still dense enough to get lost in for three minutes at a time.
[7]

Micha Cavaseno: Mesmerizing mirages of chimes glimmer translucently beneath the vocals here. “Mad Over You” sounds blissful to the point of impossible, a reflection of the fleeting moments of overflow in so small our hearts.
[8]