- Words Tara Garman
The rising singer-songwriter unveils his latest offering, Lovely Day - a vivacious EP that blends soul with Afrobeats to affirm his place as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary African music.
Known for his smooth vocals and emotive lyricism, Cameroonian-born artist Olivier Cheuwa returns with Lovely Day, a project grounded in gratitude, joy, and resilience – core themes that punctuate his musical journey. Following acclaimed albums like Mon idéal, Nouveau Départ and Le Retour, the six-track EP confirms for listeners that Olivier is on an upwards trajectory. Lovely Day is characterised by his idiosyncratic optimism that sees him continue to explore his signature fusion of global sounds with sincerity and passion.
When asked about the project, Olivier shares that he is “happy about this EP because I wanted to put out something that reflects the joyful and positive person that I am.” On opening track ‘Still Standing’, accompanied by the serenity of an acoustic guitar, he tells listeners “we’ve been through the flame…we’ve walked through the rain.” The EP’s introductory song serves as a reminder of the correlation between resilience and happiness. After its placid beginning, ‘Still Standing’ quickly bursts into an R&B and Afrobeats fusion track with a buoyant beat that uplifts listeners. Through encouraging lyrics, he provides a glimpse into how he maintains his joyous spirit and celebrates the strength it takes to navigate challenging times.
Lovely Day is permeated with positivity, as heard in the standout cut ‘Special Love’. The romantic track merges Afro-pop grooves with silky R&B vocals that narrate a confident and heartfelt declaration of love. Soulful and rhythmic, the track exemplifies Olivier’s well-known combination of international genres with profound messages.
The EP closes with a vibrant reimagining of Bill Withers’ iconic ‘Lovely Day’ – a fitting choice that encapsulates his recurrent tropes of love, light, and gratitude. In its instrumental lead-up, Olivier combines dreamy synths, rich saxophones, and afrobeats to assist his blissful rendition of his EP’s titular track.
From his early days singing in choirs to performing on The Voice in Switzerland, where he got all four chairs to turn during his blind audition, Olivier’s journey has been one of passion, persistence and worldwide renown. With Lovely Day, he continues to honour his African heritage through Afro-inspired sounds whilst also creating space for international sounds, demonstrating his versatility and innovation.