In another iteration as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic pop stars, Iyanya retrofitted the cultural signages of his Cross River heritage for some of the most hyper-vivid pop anthems to come out of Nigeria from the early-to-mid 2010s. This ultimately led to his lauded sophomore album, Desire, which housed signature tracks like “Kukere”, “Sexy Mama”, and “Ur Waist”. Following 2015’s Applaudise, the singer has shown a capacity for evolution, making a creative return to the smooth and dextrous blend of R&B, soul and Afropop elements that won him public acclaim following his triumph in the inaugural edition of MTN’s Project Fame West Africa. Last year’s The 6th Wave officially kicked off a new era for the singer, hinged on sensual slow-burners and lilting cadences, but his 2023 project, Love & Trust, presents the singer’s vision in its clearest form. Love, its triumphs and all the complexities around it make for a thematic flagpole here as Iyanya emotes about physical attraction, being lovestruck, heartbreak, and the healing process across five songs. “Allow” is as honest a declaration of love as it gets in the Afropop canon, while the BNXN fka Buju-featuring “Sinner” is a jazz-inflected admission of imperfection that shows a keen sense of self-awareness. Still, the true highlight of Love & Trust comes on its titular track, where Joeboy joins for a duet about the currency of heartbreak and broken trust, setting the stage perfectly for Iyanya’s suave second act.