Magixx’s ‘I Dream In Color’: A Soulful Showcase Lacking the Popstar Edge
Magixx’s breakout single ‘Love Don’t Cost A Dime’ introduced him as an artist with yearning melodies, intimate lyrics, and a soulful delivery that resonates deeply with listeners. His music holds unmistakable talent, yet its utility in the fiercely competitive Afrobeats market has fallen short of the mass appeal required to sustain a popstar’s trajectory.
On his debut LP ‘I Dream In Color,’ Magixx prioritizes artistic expression over commercial viability. The album is a collection of well-crafted songs that blend seamlessly, yet none stand out enough to command mainstream attention. His strongest asset remains his melodies, which he employs to convey deep emotions. These warm, mid-tempo productions and heartfelt lyrics invite listeners into his personal world.
Following two EPs in 2021 and 2022, Magixx released several singles in 2023 and 2024, yet the returns from these efforts were underwhelming. He acknowledges this struggle in the opening track ‘Consistency,’ where he addresses his critics.
The album’s 13 tracks are steeped in gratitude and self-awareness, with Magixx showcasing his individuality on ‘Ori,’ a song built on Yoruba folk music where he proclaims blessings upon himself. ‘With You’ exemplifies his ability to create soulful melodies, yet it follows the same sonic direction as most of the album, limiting its potential impact.
While ‘Alchl’ attempts a fusion of Afrobeats production with log drums, the song remains in Magixx’s comfort zone, relying on familiar flows to tell a story of unrequited love and liquor reliance. This tendency to stick closely to a singular melodic style affects the album’s overall dynamism.
The same pattern plays out on ‘Winter & Summer,’ a heartfelt ballad about lost love, and ‘Okay,’ where he shares the struggles of being an artist in the public eye. Despite their emotive delivery, these songs contribute to the album’s overall monotony.
‘I Dream In Color’ follows a cohesive sonic and thematic direction, yet it lacks the diversity needed to sustain listener engagement. By the time ‘Eleven’ plays, the album has yet to deliver an exhilarating moment. The monotony is only briefly broken by Jeriq’s feature on ‘Vibration,’ where the Igbo rapper’s deep vocals add much-needed variety.
For the most part, Magixx maintains a linear interpretation of his genre exploration, as seen in the highlife-infused ‘Sexy Lady’ and Konto-bounce ‘Sempe.’ The album’s strongest thematic moments appear in its final tracks, ‘Konibaje’ and ‘Vision,’ which emphasize self-belief and personal growth.
Ultimately, the album’s cohesion comes at the expense of commercial appeal. Magixx writes passionately and sings with depth, yet his melodies lack the dynamism and urgency required to elevate him as a major pop act. Tracks like ‘Bad Decisions,’ ‘Foreplay,’ and ‘Okay’ are solid, but they don’t break new ground or harness the linguistic relatability that boosts mainstream success in Afropop.
With ‘I Dream In Color,’ Magixx delivers a strong artistic statement but falls short of proving his ability to command mass appeal. A more concise EP format might have minimized the album’s evident monotony, but as a full-length project, it lacks enough standout moments to propel his career forward.
For a pop artist still carving out his audience, Magixx needs records that captivate a broader demographic. Otherwise, he and Mavin Records must redefine their parameters for success.
Pulse Rating: 6.8/10
Album Breakdown:
- Album Sequencing: 1.5/2
- Songwriting, Themes, and Delivery: 1.4/2
- Production: 1.3/2
- Enjoyability and Satisfaction: 1.3/2
- Execution: 1.3/2
Final Verdict: Magixx’s debut album showcases his artistry but lacks the versatility and commercial appeal needed to cement his position as a top-tier pop star.
