Album review: “StarX Lover” by Dreamer Isioma
by Morgan May
“StarX Lover” by Dreamer Isioma
The third studio album from Nigerian-American singer-songwriter Dreamer Isioma, “StarX Lover,” is setting the stage for the artist’s new era — an edgier, angstier sound from their best-known track “Sensitive.” Dreamer Isioma is not the pop star they blew up as on TikTok and they’re making it known; “StarX Lover” allows them to create their own name through a newer, more definitive stance and sound.
The opening track, “This Is Not A Song” sets the stage for a strongly-worded rock album, although the sound and lyricism mellows out a few tracks in.
“StarX Lover” is best categorized as pop punk with R&B influence; as much as the album comes out of the gate with a punk rock sound, Dreamer Isioma can’t seem to shake the pop/R&B sound of “Sensitive,” with tracks like “Did You Ever Care” and “I Am Going Through Hell (Bittersweet)” in the same sonic realm — and arguably standing as the best tracks on the album.
The transition between track one, “This is Not a Song” and track two, “She Dance With The Devil” is seamless and overlapping, allowing Dreamer to continue working through their angst in what ultimately feels like a purge of emotion.
Track four, “Did You Ever Care” is more on-par with the aesthetic recognized from “Sensitive,” while maintaining the contextual angst of the new era brought on through “StarX Lover.” “Dead End” has an air of melancholy with lyrics like “the ghost of you still haunts me,” backed up by percussive instrumentals and moody sound.
The album at large is paradoxical, both in instrumentals and lyricism — layers of anguish which are simultaneously melancholic. Introspection and self-reflection are not lost on Dreamer Isioma, even if they occur in a more existential-dread type of way.
The lyricism throughout the albums delves into Black identity, sexuality, rage and politics with raw honesty and poetic depth. Set over a drug-infused, almost extraterrestrial sonic landscape, the music pushes the boundaries of conventional genre norms.
With only three features over the 15 tracks on the album, Dreamer Isioma’s strong vocals and independent lyricism are on full display. The genre-bending, experimental nature of the album contributes further to its overall psychedelic feel and emotional weight, capturing the complexities of personal and collective identity in a struggle against conformity.
The album’s overall sound is reminiscent of WILLOW and 070 Shake. “Did You Ever Care” is vocally comparable to R&B artist Kali Uchis in particular, especially on songs “telepatía,” “Moonlight” and “Just a Stranger” featuring Steve Lacy.
The tracks with a more R&B focused sound have a similar vibe to artists like Malcolm Todd and Omar Apollo.
If you like songs like “Bleed” by Todd featuring Apollo, “Honey” by 070 Shake featuring Ralphy River and Hack & Tree or “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” by WILLOW featuring Travis Barker, “StarX Lover” is your next listen.
“StarX Lover” marks a bold evolution in Dreamer Isioma’s artistry and discography– a stride of independence from the sound and aesthetic that initially brought them fame. The album embraces contradiction in sound, emotion, and theme.
Dreamer Isioma dives into the tracklist fearlessly, allowing emotional turbulence to echo at the album’s core and making it deeply personal through its exploration of identity, pain and transformation.
“StarX Lover” is a statement, a shedding of old skins and a glimpse into a boundary-pushing future where Dreamer Isioma continues to carve out a space that is entirely their own.