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'''''Lucid''''' is the fourth studio album by French-Nigerian singer [[Aṣa]]. It was released on October 11, 2019, through Chapter Two Records and [[Wagram Music]]. Musically, the album is a [[soul music|soul]], [[folk music|folk]] and [[rock music|rock]] album that incorporates elements of [[funk]] and [[folk rock]]. It is a departure from Aṣa's previous albums due to being more personal and less [[Music and politics|political]]. The production was primarily handled by drummer Marlon B and contains additional elements of [[jazz]], [[reggae]] and [[neo-soul]].
'''''Lucid''''' is the fourth studio album by French-Nigerian singer [[Aṣa]], released on October 11, 2019, via Chapter Two Records and [[Wagram Music]]. Labeled a [[soul music|soul]], [[folk music|folk]], and [[rock music|rock]] album, ''Lucid'' incorporates elements of [[funk]], [[folk rock]], [[jazz]], [[reggae]] and [[neo-soul]]. It is more personal and less [[Music and politics|political]] compared to her previous albums. Drummer Marlon B was largely in charge of the production; the album's title depicts the place where Aṣa was at the time of the album's release.


Sonically, ''Lucid'' utilizes piano-led [[Sentimental ballad|ballads]], [[String (music)|strings]] and [[Brass instrument|soft brass]] to tell a tale of the brokenhearted. The lyrics explore topics such as [[love]], [[Broken heart|heartbreak]], [[self-discovery]], [[empowerment]], [[joy]], [[pain]] and identity. The album's singles "The Beginning", "Good Thing" and "My Dear" were all released in 2019. The album received generally positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]], who commended the symbolic nature of Aṣa's songwriting and considered it to be her deepest and most emotionally robust record.
Sonically, ''Lucid'' utilizes piano-led [[Sentimental ballad|ballads]], [[String (music)|strings]] and [[Brass instrument|soft brass]] to tell a tale of the brokenhearted. The lyrics explore topics such as love, heartbreak, self-discovery, empowerment, joy, pain and identity. The album's singles "The Beginning", "Good Thing", and "My Dear" were all released in 2019. ''Lucid'' received generally positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]], who commended it for being about love. The album was supported by a tour, which commenced in November 2019.


==Background and promotion==
==Background and promotion==
Aṣa took a hiatus of five years from music, prior to unveiling plans for releasing ''Lucid''.<ref name="OkayAfrica 123">{{cite web |author1=Damola Durosomo |title=Asa Releases Her Highly-Anticipated New Album, 'Lucid' |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/asa-releases-her-highly-anticipated-new-album-lucid/ |website=OkayAfrica |accessdate=26 April 2020 |date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426140742/https://www.okayafrica.com/asa-releases-her-highly-anticipated-new-album-lucid/ |archive-date=26 April 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> To [[France 24]], she recalled having spent time away from the spotlight and made an attempt to "live normal".<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> In September 2019, Aṣa announced the album's title, cover art and release date simultaneously.<ref name="Native 1">{{cite web |author1=Dennis Ade Peter |title=Asa details new album, 'Lucid' |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/asa-details-new-album-lucid/ |work=Native |accessdate=6 April 2020 |date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> In an interview with ''Griot'' magazine the following month, she said the title ''Lucid'' depicts the place where she's currently at in her life. Aṣa also said some of the songs were written at her flat in [[Paris]], while others were written at her studio in [[Lagos]]. Moreover, she stated to have wrote the album like a diary and poured all of her joy, heartbreak, laughter and longing on it.<ref name="Griot Magazine">{{cite web |author1=Claudia Galal |title=‘Lucid’ - Love takes new shapes in ASA’s new album |url=http://griotmag.com/en/lucid-asa-new-album-new/ |work=Griot |accessdate=26 April 2020 |date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214003111/http://griotmag.com/en/lucid-asa-new-album-new/ |archive-date=14 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to unveiling plans for the release of ''Lucid'', Aṣa released the singles "The Beginning" and "Good Thing", along with their accompanying music videos.<ref name="Native 1" />
After releasing ''[[Bed of Stone]]'' in 2014, Aṣa took a five-year hiatus from music before revealing plans to release ''Lucid''.<ref name="OkayAfrica 123">{{cite web |author1=Damola Durosomo |title=Asa Releases Her Highly-Anticipated New Album, 'Lucid' |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/asa-releases-her-highly-anticipated-new-album-lucid/ |publisher=[[OkayAfrica]] |accessdate= April 26, 2020 |date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426140742/https://www.okayafrica.com/asa-releases-her-highly-anticipated-new-album-lucid/ |archive-date=26 April 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On [[France 24]], she recalled making an attempt to "live normal" during her hiatus.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> In September 2019, Aṣa announced the album's title, cover art, and release date simultaneously.<ref name="Native 1">{{cite web |author1=Dennis Ade Peter |title=Asa details new album, 'Lucid' |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/asa-details-new-album-lucid/ |work=Native |accessdate=6 April 2020 |date=September 11, 2019 |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303022528/https://thenativemag.com/asa-details-new-album-lucid/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with ''Griot'' magazine the following month, she said the title ''Lucid'' depicts the place where she was at the time of the album's release. Aṣa said some of the songs were written in her flat in [[Paris]] while others were written at her studio in [[Lagos]]. She also stated to have written the album like a diary and poured all of her "joy, heartbreak, laughter and longing" on it.<ref name="Griot Magazine">{{cite web |author1=Claudia Galal |title='Lucid' - Love takes new shapes in ASA's new album |url=http://griotmag.com/en/lucid-asa-new-album-new/ |work=Griot |accessdate=26 April 2020 |date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214003111/http://griotmag.com/en/lucid-asa-new-album-new/ |archive-date=14 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>


⚫
''Lucid''{{'}}s lead single, "The Beginning", was released on May 14, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Beginning - Single by Aṣa |url=https://music.apple.com/tr/album/the-beginning-single/1462430131 |publisher=[[Apple Music]] |accessdate=9 May 2020 |date=14 May 2019 |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303022532/https://music.apple.com/tr/album/the-beginning-single/1462430131 |url-status=live }}</ref> Aṣa teased the song on [[Instagram]] prior to its release.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 8899">{{cite web |last1=Alake |first1=Motolani |title=Asa releases video for new single, 'The Beginning' |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asa-releases-new-single-the-beginning/nle4whm |publisher=Pulse Nigeria |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=May 15, 2019 |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520171311/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asa-releases-new-single-the-beginning/nle4whm |url-status=live }}</ref> The album's second single, "Good Thing", was released on June 25, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Good Thing - Single by Aṣa |url=https://music.apple.com/za/album/good-thing-single/1468155103 |publisher=Apple Music |accessdate=9 May 2020 |date=25 June 2019 |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303022611/https://music.apple.com/za/album/good-thing-single/1468155103 |url-status=live }}</ref> The accompanying music video was directed by [[Sesan (video director)|Sesan]] and released two months later.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Violet |title=Video: The 'Good Thing' About Asa You Didn't Know |url=https://guardian.ng/life/watch-asa-releases-official-video-for-latest-single-good-thing/ |work=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)]] |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=28 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914002333/https://guardian.ng/life/watch-asa-releases-official-video-for-latest-single-good-thing/ |archive-date=14 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The video features a woman who is acceptant of her [[vitiligo]] and another who overcomes the urge of [[Drug overdose|overdosing]].<ref name="Native 09119">{{cite web |last1=Peter |first1=Dennis |title=Asa's video for 'Good Thing' is a satisfying celebration of resurgence |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/asas-video-good-thing-celebrates-resurgence/ |work=Native |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=August 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202195800/https://thenativemag.com/music/asas-video-good-thing-celebrates-resurgence/ |archive-date=2 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 27, 2019, Aṣa released the third and final single, "My Dear", along with a live rendition video recorded at [[:fr:Studios Ferber|Studios Ferber]] in Paris.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Dennis Ade Peter |title=Asa fourth studio album, 'Lucid' is finally here |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/asa-releases-fourth-studio-album-lucid/ |work=Native |accessdate=6 April 2020 |date=October 11, 2019 |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813202913/https://thenativemag.com/music/asa-releases-fourth-studio-album-lucid/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫
''Lucid'' comprises 14 tracks and is a follow-up to Aṣa's critically acclaimed third studio album ''[[Bed of Stone]]'' (2014).<ref name="Native 1" /> Musically, the former is a [[soul music|soul]], [[folk music|folk]] and [[rock music|rock]] album that incorporates elements of [[funk]] and [[folk rock]].<ref name="OkayAfrica 123"/><ref name="Griot Magazine"/><ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> The album is a departure from Aṣa's previous ones in that it is more personal and less [[Music and politics|political]].<ref name="Culture Custodian 678" /> It was primarily produced by drummer Marlon B, and contains additional elements of [[jazz]], [[reggae]] and [[Neo soul|neo-soul]].<ref name="Griot Magazine"/><ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> Sonically, ''Lucid'' utilizes piano-led [[Sentimental ballad|ballads]], [[String (music)|strings]] and [[Brass instrument|soft brass]] to tell a tale of the brokenhearted.<ref name="Culture Custodian 678" /> The album explores topics such as love, heartbreak, self-discovery, empowerment, joy, pain and identity.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678"/>


Aṣa embarked on the Lucid album tour in support of ''Lucid''. She performed in major cities of France, Germany and Switzerland. Aṣa was scheduled to headline the Asa Live in Lagos concert, which would have occurred at the [[Eko Hotels and Suites|Eko Convention Centre]] on April 11, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Rotimi Agbana |title=Asa Brings ‘Lucid’ Album Tour To Lagos |url=https://www.independent.ng/asa-brings-lucid-album-tour-to-lagos/ |website=Independent |accessdate=25 April 2020 |date=9 March 2020}}</ref> However, she ended up canceling the concert and her remaining tour dates due to the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Motolani Alake |title=Here is how coronavirus is affecting Nigerian music |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/davido-sinach-asa-gidifest-cancel-concerts-tours-and-shows-coronavirus/tp6yr7y |work=Pulse Nigeria |accessdate=25 April 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320163618/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/davido-sinach-asa-gidifest-cancel-concerts-tours-and-shows-coronavirus/tp6yr7y |archive-date=20 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In November 2019, Aṣa embarked on the Lucid album tour. She performed in major cities of France, Germany, and Switzerland.<ref name="Independent 123">{{cite web |last1=Agbana |first1=Rotimi |title=Asa Brings 'Lucid' Album Tour To Lagos |url=https://www.independent.ng/asa-brings-lucid-album-tour-to-lagos/ |website=Independent |accessdate=9 June 2020 |date=9 March 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303022534/https://independent.ng/asa-brings-lucid-album-tour-to-lagos/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Aṣa was scheduled to headline the Asa Live in Lagos concert, which would have occurred at the [[Eko Hotels and Suites|Eko Convention Centre]] on April 11, 2020.<ref name="Independent 123"/> However, she ended up canceling the concert and her remaining tour dates due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Motolani Alake |title=Here is how coronavirus is affecting Nigerian music |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/davido-sinach-asa-gidifest-cancel-concerts-tours-and-shows-coronavirus/tp6yr7y |publisher=Pulse Nigeria |accessdate=25 April 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320163618/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/davido-sinach-asa-gidifest-cancel-concerts-tours-and-shows-coronavirus/tp6yr7y |archive-date=20 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Music and lyrics==
==Music and lyrics==
⚫
Composed of fourteen tracks, ''Lucid'' is a [[soul music|soul]], [[folk music|folk]] and [[rock music|rock]] album that incorporates elements of [[funk]], [[folk rock]], [[jazz]], [[reggae]] and [[neo-soul]].<ref name="OkayAfrica 123"/><ref name="Griot Magazine"/><ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> Compared to Aṣa's previous albums, ''Lucid'' is more personal and less [[Music and politics|political]].<ref name="Culture Custodian 678" /> Sonically, ''Lucid'' utilizes piano-led ballads, strings and soft brass to tell a tale of the brokenhearted.<ref name="Culture Custodian 678" /> It explores topics such as love, heartbreak, self-discovery, empowerment, joy, pain and identity.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678"/>
"The opener of ''Lucid'', "Murder in the USA", a melancholic track, is reminiscent of "Dead Again" from ''Bed of Stone''; it makes references to police and uses homicide as a metaphor to resolve a doomed romance.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> The song was accompanied by a short video that narrates the story of a young woman who was raped by her jealous fiancé. Aṣa said the abusive relationship between her mother and father inspired the song.<ref>{{cite web |title=Music: Nigerian singer Asa in Paris for "Lucid", her fourth album |url=https://www.tellerreport.com/news/2019-12-15---music--nigerian-singer-asa-in-paris-for-%22lucid%22--her-fourth-album-.Bke73y9Q0r.html |work=Tellerreport |accessdate=25 April 2020 |date=December 15, 2019}}</ref> In "The Beginning", Aṣa implores her love interest to restart with her.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> The song furthers the album's narrative undertones and was inspired by a quote from a Hindu saint who offered advice to a group of people quarreling on the [[Ganges]].<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ani |first1=Ivie |title=Watch Asa Sing Through the Soul in "The Beginning" [Premiere] |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/asa-the-beginning-video-premiere.html |work=Okayplayer |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329142904/https://www.okayplayer.com/music/asa-the-beginning-video-premiere.html |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake described "The Beginning" as a "lo-fi, melodious post-break-up song that details the residual love still between the warring partners".<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 8899" /> Zama Mdoda of [[Afro-punk|Afropunk.com]] praised Aṣa's [[Tone (linguistics)|vocal tone]] and said the song "lifts and uplifts".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mdoda |first1=Zama |title=Asa’s 'The Beginning' flies above a world falling apart |url=https://afropunk.com/2019/07/asas-the-beginning-flies-above-a-world-falling-apart/ |work=Afropunk.com |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708185327/https://afropunk.com/2019/07/asas-the-beginning-flies-above-a-world-falling-apart/ |archive-date=8 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>


"Good Thing" is an ode to moving on after an unfavorable circumstance; the song features a [[pop-soul]] instrumental arrangement.<ref name="Native 09119" /> In "Stay Tonight", Aṣa cites arguments and improper timing as reasons for relationship failures; the song's production is reminiscent of tracks produced by [[Starsailor (band)|Starsailor]] and [[Daft Punk]].<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /> In the guitar ballad "Torn", Aṣa sings about a desire to rip her lover's heart into two if he puts her through a heartbreak; she also contends with harsh truths and hard-earned lessons.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /><ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> In the jazz-infused ballad "Happy People", Aṣa forgets her worries, and documents the happiness associated with Nigerian parties.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /><ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /> "You and Me" contains an [[Tempo|uptempo]] drum beat and guitar strumming; it has been described as the "happiest song on the album".<ref name="Pop Magazine" /> The sentimental ballad "Femi Mo" (English: "Don't Want Me Anymore"), which was performed entirely in [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]], addresses the breakup of a 10-year relationship.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /><ref>{{cite web |author1=Agunbiade Kehinde |title=Asa's Lucid: A roller coaster of love and Yoruba happiness |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/asas-lucid-roller-coaster-love-and-yoruba-happiness |work=Music in Africa |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=22 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215100711/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/asas-lucid-roller-coaster-love-and-yoruba-happiness |archive-date=15 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The first song of ''Lucid'', "Murder in the USA", is a melancholic track that is reminiscent of "Dead Again" from ''Bed of Stone''; it makes allusions to police and uses homicide as a metaphor to resolve a doomed romance.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> In "The Beginning", Aṣa's vocals are reminiscent of [[Victoria Legrand]].<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> The song furthers the album's narrative undertones and was inspired by a quote from a Hindu saint who offered advice to a group of people quarreling on the [[Ganges]].<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ani |first1=Ivie |title=Watch Asa Sing Through the Soul in 'The Beginning' [Premiere] |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/asa-the-beginning-video-premiere.html |publisher=Okayplayer |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329142904/https://www.okayplayer.com/music/asa-the-beginning-video-premiere.html |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Pulse Nigeria''{{'}}s [[Motolani Alake]] described "The Beginning" as a "lo-fi, melodious post-break-up song that details the residual love still between the warring partners".<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 8899" /> Zama Mdoda of [[Afro-punk|Afropunk.com]] praised Aṣa's [[Tone (linguistics)|vocal tone]] and said the song "lifts and uplifts".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mdoda |first1=Zama |title=Asa's 'The Beginning' flies above a world falling apart |url=https://afropunk.com/2019/07/asas-the-beginning-flies-above-a-world-falling-apart/ |publisher=[[Afro-punk|Afropunk.com]] |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708185327/https://afropunk.com/2019/07/asas-the-beginning-flies-above-a-world-falling-apart/ |archive-date=8 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>


"Good Thing" is an ode to moving on after an unfavorable circumstance; the song features a [[pop-soul]] instrumental arrangement.<ref name="Native 09119" /> In "Stay Tonight", Aṣa claims arguments and improper timing as reasons for relationship failures; the song's production is reminiscent of tracks produced by [[Starsailor (band)|Starsailor]] and [[Daft Punk]].<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /> The guitar ballad "Torn" has Aṣa singing of her desire to shred her lover's heart in half if he causes her heartbreak. The song also deals with bitter truths and lessons learned the hard way.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /><ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> Aṣa records the joy of Nigerian celebrations in the jazz-infused ballad "Happy People", forgetting her problems in the process.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /><ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /> "You and Me" contains an [[Tempo|uptempo]] drum beat and guitar strumming; it has been described as the "happiest song on the album".<ref name="Pop Magazine" /> The sentimental ballad "Femi Mo" (English: "Don't Want Me Anymore"), which was performed entirely in [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]], addresses the breakup of a 10-year relationship.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /><ref>{{cite web |author1=Agunbiade Kehinde |title=Asa's Lucid: A roller coaster of love and Yoruba happiness |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/asas-lucid-roller-coaster-love-and-yoruba-happiness |work=Music in Africa |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=22 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215100711/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/asas-lucid-roller-coaster-love-and-yoruba-happiness |archive-date=15 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫
"Makes No Sense" provides a dose of [[self-awareness]] and portrays Aṣa as someone who has been hurt, neglected and rejected by her love interest.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> "365" documents the end of a draining relationship of 5 years; the song's production features violin and guitar strings.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /> "9 Lives" is a message to Aṣa's former lover on the strength that she endured, after having been through emotional turmoil.<ref name="Pop Magazine" /> Logan February said the song "falls short as a formidable statement, but works as a humanistic representation of the damage endured even by the strong".<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> In the soul-inspired track "Don't Let Me Go", Aṣa uses [[soliloquy]] to address a looming breakup.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /> The closing track to ''Lucid'', "My Dear", is a melancholic counterpart to "Happy People", with Aṣa singing about her love interest being absent from their engagement party.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" />


⚫
"Makes No Sense" provides a dose of [[self-awareness]] and portrays Aṣa as someone who has been hurt.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> "365" documents the end of a five-year emotionally-draining relationship.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /> Leslie Addo of ''Pop Magazine'' described "9 Lives" as "a message to Aṣa's former lover on the strength of her character".<ref name="Pop Magazine" /> [[Logan February]] said the song "falls short as a formidable statement, but works as a humanistic representation of the damage endured even by the strong".<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" /> In the soul-inspired track "Don't Let Me Go", Aṣa uses [[soliloquy]] to address a looming breakup.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678" /> The closing track to ''Lucid'', "My Dear", is a melancholic counterpart to "Happy People", with Aṣa singing about her love interest being absent from their engagement party.<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345" />
==Singles==
⚫
''Lucid''{{'}}s lead single, "The Beginning", was released on May 14, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Beginning - Single by Aṣa |url=https://music.apple.com/tr/album/the-beginning-single/1462430131 |work=Apple Music |accessdate=9 May 2020 |date=14 May 2019}}</ref> Aṣa teased the song on [[Instagram]], prior to its release.<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 8899">{{cite web |last1=Alake |first1=Motolani |title=Asa releases video for new single, ‘The Beginning’ |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asa-releases-new-single-the-beginning/nle4whm |work=Pulse Nigeria |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=May 15, 2019}}</ref> The album's second single, "Good Thing", was released on June 25, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Good Thing - Single by Aṣa |url=https://music.apple.com/za/album/good-thing-single/1468155103 |publisher=Apple Music |accessdate=9 May 2020 |date=25 June 2019}}</ref> The accompanying music video was directed by [[Sesan (video director)|Sesan]] and released two months later; it is entirely a combination of sub-plots.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Violet |title=Video: The "Good Thing" About Asa You Didn’t Know |url=https://guardian.ng/life/watch-asa-releases-official-video-for-latest-single-good-thing/ |work=Guardian |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=28 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914002333/https://guardian.ng/life/watch-asa-releases-official-video-for-latest-single-good-thing/ |archive-date=14 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The video features a woman who is acceptant of her [[vitiligo]] and another who overcomes the urge of [[Drug overdose|overdosing]].<ref name="Native 09119">{{cite web |last1=Peter |first1=Dennis |title=Asa's video for "Good Thing" is a satisfying celebration of resurgence |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/asas-video-good-thing-celebrates-resurgence/ |work=Native |accessdate=11 May 2020 |date=August 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202195800/https://thenativemag.com/music/asas-video-good-thing-celebrates-resurgence/ |archive-date=2 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 27, 2019, Aṣa released the third and final single, "My Dear", along with a live rendition video recorded at [[:fr:Studios Ferber|Studios Ferber]] in Paris.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Dennis Ade Peter |title=Asa fourth studio album, 'Lucid' is finally here |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/asa-releases-fourth-studio-album-lucid/ |work=Native |accessdate=6 April 2020 |date=October 11, 2019}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Line 64: Line 58:
| rev1 = ''Pop Magazine''
| rev1 = ''Pop Magazine''
| rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Pop Magazine"/>
| rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Pop Magazine"/>
| rev2 = Pulse Nigeria
| rev2 = ''Pulse Nigeria''
| rev2Score = 7.5/10<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678"/>
| rev2Score = 7.5/10<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678"/>
}}
}}


''Lucid'' was met with generally positive reviews from [[music critics]]. Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria commended the album for showing Aṣa documenting three different thematic perspectives, though criticized it for having "no sonic uniqueness".<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678">{{cite web |author1=Motolani Alake |title=Asa's 'Lucid' is familiar, yet worth the wait [Pulse Review] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asa-lucid-album-review/156bx8n |work=Pulse Nigeria |accessdate=27 April 2020 |date=October 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019014025/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asa-lucid-album-review/156bx8n |archive-date=19 October 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chuks Nwanne from ''[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]'' said ''Lucid'' is "about love in different guises" and praised Aṣa for "amplifying her voice on it".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Chuks Nwanne |title=Asa Talks Love In New Album, Lucid |url=https://guardian.ng/life/asa-talks-love-in-new-album-lucid/ |work=Guardian |accessdate=25 April 2020 |date=12 October 2019}}</ref> Leslie Addo of ''Pop Magazine'' characterized the album as "a masterpiece and personal diary for anyone dealing with a broken heart"; Addo also said Aṣa's lyrical delivery will "give you the imaginative powers to transport yourself to another place".<ref name="Pop Magazine">{{cite web |last1=Addo |first1=Leslie |title=Review: Asa – Lucid |url=https://pop-mag.com/2019-10-15/review-asa-lucid/ |work=Pop Magazine |accessdate=30 April 2020 |date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>
''Lucid'' was met with generally positive reviews from [[music critics]]. ''Pulse Nigeria''{{'}}s [[Motolani Alake]] acknowledged the album for capturing a variety of scenarios and said it is "excellent with new themes".<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678">{{cite web |author1=Motolani Alake |title=Asa's 'Lucid' is familiar, yet worth the wait [Pulse Review] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asa-lucid-album-review/156bx8n |publisher=Pulse Nigeria |accessdate=27 April 2020 |date=October 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019014025/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/asa-lucid-album-review/156bx8n |archive-date=19 October 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Conversely, Alake believes the album's track listing "fails to promote cohesion" and that its themes lack "sonic uniqueness".<ref name="Pulse Nigeria 678"/> Chuks Nwanne from ''[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]'' said ''Lucid'' is "about love in different guises" and praised Aṣa for "amplifying her voice on it".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Chuks Nwanne |title=Asa Talks Love In New Album, Lucid |url=https://guardian.ng/life/asa-talks-love-in-new-album-lucid/ |work= The Guardian |accessdate=25 April 2020 |date=12 October 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806105103/https://guardian.ng/life/asa-talks-love-in-new-album-lucid/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Journalist Vincent Desmond applauded the album's curation and cohesiveness, and said it has a "complete love story that wavers between indifference, loss, Sunday morning bliss with your lover and everything in between".<ref name="Medium 1234">{{cite web |last1=Desmond |first1=Vincent |title=Album Review – Asa Tells A Complete Love Story On Lucid |url=https://medium.com/@vincentdesmond74/album-review-asa-tells-a-complete-love-story-on-lucid-fdc6ac28598 |work=Medium |accessdate=1 May 2020 |date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> In a review for ''The Lagos Review'', Logan February said the album "honors the highs and lows of love, and the journey of learning to be alone after the party ends".<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345">{{cite web |title=Lucid is Asa’s most emotionally robust record yet – Logan February |url=https://thelagosreview.ng/lucid-is-asas-most-emotionally-robust-record-yet-logan-february/ |work=The Lagos Review |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215040222/https://thelagosreview.ng/lucid-is-asas-most-emotionally-robust-record-yet-logan-february/ |archive-date=15 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ifeoluwa Nihinlola commended Aṣa for sticking to the formulaic approach of her previous music and said "to constantly change is to betray an existential anxiety".<ref>{{cite web |title=Even When It Ends in Tears |url=https://medium.com/@ifemmanuel/even-when-it-ends-in-tears-826d41bc18e3|author1=Ifeoluwa Nihinlola|work=Medium |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> Music critic Michael Kolawole described ''Lucid'' as "a whiplash of emotion, a carefully crafted blow to the heart, an end-product of a wizened soul, and a letter of self-discovery".<ref name="Culture Custodian 678">{{cite web |author1=Michael Kolawole |title=Asa's Lucid is a beautiful album for the broken hearted|url=https://culturecustodian.com/asas-lucid-is-a-beautiful-album-for-the-broken-hearted/ |work=Culture Custodian |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=November 8, 2019}}</ref> Kolawole also notes that while the album doesn't break new ground, it is still a "beautiful album that's designed for the brokenhearted".<ref name="Culture Custodian 678" />
Leslie Addo of ''Pop Magazine'' characterized the album as "a masterpiece and personal diary for anyone dealing with a broken heart"; Addo also said Aṣa's lyrical delivery will "give you the imaginative powers to transport yourself to another place".<ref name="Pop Magazine">{{cite web |last1=Addo |first1=Leslie |title=Review: Asa – Lucid |url=https://pop-mag.com/2019-10-15/review-asa-lucid/ |work=Pop Magazine |accessdate=30 April 2020 |date=October 15, 2019 |archive-date=2020-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808061356/https://pop-mag.com/2019-10-15/review-asa-lucid/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Lagos Review]]'', [[Logan February]] considers ''Lucid'' to be Aṣa's "most emotionally robust record yet" and said it "honors the highs and lows of love, and the journey of learning to be alone after the party ends".<ref name="The Lagos Review 12345">{{cite web |title=Lucid is Asa's most emotionally robust record yet – Logan February |url=https://thelagosreview.ng/lucid-is-asas-most-emotionally-robust-record-yet-logan-february/ |work=The Lagos Review |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215040222/https://thelagosreview.ng/lucid-is-asas-most-emotionally-robust-record-yet-logan-february/ |archive-date=15 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Culture Custodian's Michael Kolawole described the album as "a whiplash of emotion, a carefully crafted blow to the heart, an end-product of a wizened soul, and a letter of self-discovery".<ref name="Culture Custodian 678">{{cite web |author1=Michael Kolawole |title=Asa's Lucid is a beautiful album for the broken hearted |url=https://culturecustodian.com/asas-lucid-is-a-beautiful-album-for-the-broken-hearted/ |work=Culture Custodian |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=November 8, 2019 |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928082311/https://culturecustodian.com/asas-lucid-is-a-beautiful-album-for-the-broken-hearted/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kolawole also notes that while the album does not break new ground, it is still a "beautiful album that's designed for the brokenhearted".<ref name="Culture Custodian 678" />


In a less enthusiastic review, Carl Terver of ''Praxis Magazine'' said Aṣa failed to outdo her last offering with the album and that her lyrics have "become weakened by a preference for popular songwriting".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Carl Trever |title=Why we think Asa’s "Lucid" is a let-down album |url=http://www.praxismagonline.com/why-we-think-asas-lucid-is-a-let-down-album/ |work=Praxis Magazine |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=December 30, 2019}}</ref> Music critic [[Dami Ajayi]] criticized Aṣa for toying familiar lines, while failing to take new in-roads. Ajayi also said ''Lucid'' is her "ambitious attempt to collapse the ethos of all her previous albums into a formidable product to keep fans swooning for another half decade".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Dami Ajayi |title=Asa’s "Lucid" springs no surprises – Dami Ajayi |url=https://thisislagos.ng/asas-lucid-springs-no-surprises-dami-ajayi/ |work=This is Lagos |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=October 20, 2019}}</ref>
In a less enthusiastic review, Carl Terver of ''Praxis Magazine'' said Aṣa failed to outdo her last offering with the album and that her lyrics have "become weakened by a preference for popular songwriting".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Carl Trever |title=Why we think Asa's 'Lucid' is a let-down album |url=http://www.praxismagonline.com/why-we-think-asas-lucid-is-a-let-down-album/ |work=Praxis Magazine |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227143921/http://www.praxismagonline.com/why-we-think-asas-lucid-is-a-let-down-album/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Music critic [[Dami Ajayi]], whose review was published by the website ''This Is Lagos'', said ''Lucid'' is her "ambitious attempt to collapse the ethos of all her previous albums into a formidable product to keep fans swooning for another half decade".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Dami Ajayi |title=Asa's 'Lucid' springs no surprises – Dami Ajayi |url=https://thisislagos.ng/asas-lucid-springs-no-surprises-dami-ajayi/ |work=This is Lagos |accessdate=2 May 2020 |date=October 20, 2019 |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810044957/https://thisislagos.ng/asas-lucid-springs-no-surprises-dami-ajayi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
Line 159: Line 153:


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Credits adapted from Aṣa's interview with ''Griot'' magazine.<ref name="Griot Magazine"/>
*Bukola Elemide – primary artist
*Bukola Elemide – perfromer
*Marlon B – producer
*Marlon B – producer


Line 173: Line 168:
! scope="row"| Various
! scope="row"| Various
| October 11, 2019
| October 11, 2019
| {{hlist|[[Music download|Digital download]]|[[Streaming media|streaming]]}}
| {{hlist|[[Compact disc|CD]]|[[Phonograph record|vinyl]]|[[Music download|digital download]]|[[Streaming media|streaming]]}}
| {{hlist|Chapter Two Records|[[Wagram Music]]}}
| {{hlist|Chapter Twos|[[Wagram Music|Wagram]]}}
|{{center|<ref>{{cite web |title=Lucid by Aṣa |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/lucid/1479207151 |publisher=Apple Music |accessdate=26 April 2020 |date=October 11, 2019}}</ref>}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |title=Lucid by Aṣa |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/lucid/1479207151 |publisher=Apple Music |accessdate=26 April 2020 |date=October 11, 2019 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415010329/https://music.apple.com/us/album/lucid/1479207151 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Asa - Lucid - Amazon.com Music |url=https://www.amazon.com/Lucid-Asa/dp/B07VHY7QK2 |publisher=Amazon |accessdate=9 June 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303022613/https://www.amazon.com/Lucid-Asa/dp/B07VHY7QK2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2019 albums]]
[[Category:2019 albums]]

Latest revision as of 22:55, 4 May 2024

Lucid
Studio album by
Aṣa
ReleasedOctober 11, 2019 (2019-10-11)
Genre
Length47:00
Label
ProducerMarlon B
Aṣa chronology
Bed of Stone
(2014) 		Lucid
(2019)
Singles from Lucid
  1. "The Beginning"
    Released: May 14, 2019
  2. "Good Thing"
    Released: June 25, 2019
  3. "My Dear"
    Released: September 27, 2019

Lucid is the fourth studio album by French-Nigerian singer Aṣa, released on October 11, 2019, via Chapter Two Records and Wagram Music. Labeled a soul, folk, and rock album, Lucid incorporates elements of funk, folk rock, jazz, reggae and neo-soul. It is more personal and less political compared to her previous albums. Drummer Marlon B was largely in charge of the production; the album's title depicts the place where Aṣa was at the time of the album's release.

Sonically, Lucid utilizes piano-led ballads, strings and soft brass to tell a tale of the brokenhearted. The lyrics explore topics such as love, heartbreak, self-discovery, empowerment, joy, pain and identity. The album's singles "The Beginning", "Good Thing", and "My Dear" were all released in 2019. Lucid received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended it for being about love. The album was supported by a tour, which commenced in November 2019.

Background and promotion

[edit]

After releasing Bed of Stone in 2014, Aṣa took a five-year hiatus from music before revealing plans to release Lucid.[1] On France 24, she recalled making an attempt to "live normal" during her hiatus.[2] In September 2019, Aṣa announced the album's title, cover art, and release date simultaneously.[3] In an interview with Griot magazine the following month, she said the title Lucid depicts the place where she was at the time of the album's release. Aṣa said some of the songs were written in her flat in Paris while others were written at her studio in Lagos. She also stated to have written the album like a diary and poured all of her "joy, heartbreak, laughter and longing" on it.[4]

Lucid's lead single, "The Beginning", was released on May 14, 2019.[5] Aṣa teased the song on Instagram prior to its release.[6] The album's second single, "Good Thing", was released on June 25, 2019.[7] The accompanying music video was directed by Sesan and released two months later.[8] The video features a woman who is acceptant of her vitiligo and another who overcomes the urge of overdosing.[9] On September 27, 2019, Aṣa released the third and final single, "My Dear", along with a live rendition video recorded at Studios Ferber in Paris.[10]

In November 2019, Aṣa embarked on the Lucid album tour. She performed in major cities of France, Germany, and Switzerland.[11] Aṣa was scheduled to headline the Asa Live in Lagos concert, which would have occurred at the Eko Convention Centre on April 11, 2020.[11] However, she ended up canceling the concert and her remaining tour dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

Composed of fourteen tracks, Lucid is a soul, folk and rock album that incorporates elements of funk, folk rock, jazz, reggae and neo-soul.[1][4][2] Compared to Aṣa's previous albums, Lucid is more personal and less political.[13] Sonically, Lucid utilizes piano-led ballads, strings and soft brass to tell a tale of the brokenhearted.[13] It explores topics such as love, heartbreak, self-discovery, empowerment, joy, pain and identity.[14]

The first song of Lucid, "Murder in the USA", is a melancholic track that is reminiscent of "Dead Again" from Bed of Stone; it makes allusions to police and uses homicide as a metaphor to resolve a doomed romance.[2] In "The Beginning", Aṣa's vocals are reminiscent of Victoria Legrand.[2] The song furthers the album's narrative undertones and was inspired by a quote from a Hindu saint who offered advice to a group of people quarreling on the Ganges.[2][15] Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake described "The Beginning" as a "lo-fi, melodious post-break-up song that details the residual love still between the warring partners".[6] Zama Mdoda of Afropunk.com praised Aṣa's vocal tone and said the song "lifts and uplifts".[16]

"Good Thing" is an ode to moving on after an unfavorable circumstance; the song features a pop-soul instrumental arrangement.[9] In "Stay Tonight", Aṣa claims arguments and improper timing as reasons for relationship failures; the song's production is reminiscent of tracks produced by Starsailor and Daft Punk.[14] The guitar ballad "Torn" has Aṣa singing of her desire to shred her lover's heart in half if he causes her heartbreak. The song also deals with bitter truths and lessons learned the hard way.[14][2] Aṣa records the joy of Nigerian celebrations in the jazz-infused ballad "Happy People", forgetting her problems in the process.[2][14] "You and Me" contains an uptempo drum beat and guitar strumming; it has been described as the "happiest song on the album".[17] The sentimental ballad "Femi Mo" (English: "Don't Want Me Anymore"), which was performed entirely in Yoruba, addresses the breakup of a 10-year relationship.[14][18]

"Makes No Sense" provides a dose of self-awareness and portrays Aṣa as someone who has been hurt.[2] "365" documents the end of a five-year emotionally-draining relationship.[14] Leslie Addo of Pop Magazine described "9 Lives" as "a message to Aṣa's former lover on the strength of her character".[17] Logan February said the song "falls short as a formidable statement, but works as a humanistic representation of the damage endured even by the strong".[2] In the soul-inspired track "Don't Let Me Go", Aṣa uses soliloquy to address a looming breakup.[14] The closing track to Lucid, "My Dear", is a melancholic counterpart to "Happy People", with Aṣa singing about her love interest being absent from their engagement party.[2]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pop Magazine[17]
Pulse Nigeria7.5/10[14]

Lucid was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Pulse Nigeria's Motolani Alake acknowledged the album for capturing a variety of scenarios and said it is "excellent with new themes".[14] Conversely, Alake believes the album's track listing "fails to promote cohesion" and that its themes lack "sonic uniqueness".[14] Chuks Nwanne from The Guardian said Lucid is "about love in different guises" and praised Aṣa for "amplifying her voice on it".[19]

Leslie Addo of Pop Magazine characterized the album as "a masterpiece and personal diary for anyone dealing with a broken heart"; Addo also said Aṣa's lyrical delivery will "give you the imaginative powers to transport yourself to another place".[17] Writing for The Lagos Review, Logan February considers Lucid to be Aṣa's "most emotionally robust record yet" and said it "honors the highs and lows of love, and the journey of learning to be alone after the party ends".[2] Culture Custodian's Michael Kolawole described the album as "a whiplash of emotion, a carefully crafted blow to the heart, an end-product of a wizened soul, and a letter of self-discovery".[13] Kolawole also notes that while the album does not break new ground, it is still a "beautiful album that's designed for the brokenhearted".[13]

In a less enthusiastic review, Carl Terver of Praxis Magazine said Aṣa failed to outdo her last offering with the album and that her lyrics have "become weakened by a preference for popular songwriting".[20] Music critic Dami Ajayi, whose review was published by the website This Is Lagos, said Lucid is her "ambitious attempt to collapse the ethos of all her previous albums into a formidable product to keep fans swooning for another half decade".[21]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Bukola Elemide

No.TitleLength
1."Murder in the USA"4:03
2."The Beginning"3:44
3."Good Thing"2:49
4."Stay Tonight"3:02
5."Torn"3:23
6."Happy People"3:36
7."You and Me"3:14
8."Femi Mo"3:27
9."Makes No Sense"3:33
10."365"3:19
11."Until We Try (This Lo')"3:19
12."9 Lives"2:59
13."Don't Let Me Go"2:53
14."My Dear"3:56
Total length:47:00

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Aṣa's interview with Griot magazine.[4]

  • Bukola Elemide – perfromer
  • Marlon B – producer

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label Ref
Various October 11, 2019
[22][23]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Damola Durosomo (October 14, 2019). "Asa Releases Her Highly-Anticipated New Album, 'Lucid'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Lucid is Asa's most emotionally robust record yet – Logan February". The Lagos Review. May 2, 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  3. ^ Dennis Ade Peter (September 11, 2019). "Asa details new album, 'Lucid'". Native. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Claudia Galal (October 14, 2019). "'Lucid' - Love takes new shapes in ASA's new album". Griot. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  5. ^ "The Beginning - Single by Aṣa". Apple Music. 14 May 2019. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  6. ^ a b Alake, Motolani (May 15, 2019). "Asa releases video for new single, 'The Beginning'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Good Thing - Single by Aṣa". Apple Music. 25 June 2019. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  8. ^ Johnson, Violet (28 August 2019). "Video: The 'Good Thing' About Asa You Didn't Know". The Guardian (Nigeria). Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  9. ^ a b Peter, Dennis (August 28, 2019). "Asa's video for 'Good Thing' is a satisfying celebration of resurgence". Native. Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  10. ^ Dennis Ade Peter (October 11, 2019). "Asa fourth studio album, 'Lucid' is finally here". Native. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  11. ^ a b Agbana, Rotimi (9 March 2020). "Asa Brings 'Lucid' Album Tour To Lagos". Independent. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
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