Album Review: You Won't Believe It, Esosa

Having cut her teeth in the excellent Discover Dublin Choir and as a backing singer with renowned Irish funksters Republic of Loose, actress and soulster Esosa Ighodaro decided it was time to release her very own LP. A successful Fundit campaign followed, the result of which is the superb 11-tracker You Won’t Believe It.

A mix of funk, disco and soulful R&B, the collection showcases the Dublin-based singer’s honeyed vocals wonderfully. The songwriting is top notch too. ‘Quit My Job’ is a laidback slice of summery soul, while ‘I Copy You’ pays homage to one of Esosa’s main influences, Sade. ‘I Can’t Get Out’ takes us into almost dangerously funky territory; on ‘Please Don’t Smile At Me’ she pleads with an unwitting suitor not to inspire her to say things she’s not allowed to say any more; there’s an almost Dire Straits-like opening to ‘Really Want The Man’, a gorgeously warm and lovely celebration of lust: “Really want the man,” she sings, “Although he’s not my man/ Yeah yeah.”

Opening with Motown-y drums, the title-track ladles on the melodic disco, in irresistibly winning style. Hopefully Esosa will get to perform on the Irish festival circuit this summer: You Won’t Believe It is definitely the kind of album to be danced to in in the sunshine. With that always trusty accessory – a delicious bag of cans – in tow, of course. Great stuff.