Singer, songwriter, and master producer Tekno returns with his third studio album, Where Did Love Go?, an 8-track project released via emPawa Africa. Spanning a concise 20 minutes, the album finds the Afropop star investigating romance as both a deep emotion and a physical, motion-inducing variable. Much like his debut Old Romance, Tekno approaches his subject matter with a classic, sentimental touch, filtering it through the lens of a hyper-modern world.
Sonically, the album is built around a delicate fusion of Tekno's usual, syrupy Afropop melodies and hyper-charged dancehall rhythms. The production handles a wide spectrum of feelings, channeling everything from heart-racing exhilaration to soul-shattering romantic tensions. On tracks like Gently, the instrumentation dials back to give his light, soothing vocals full center stage as he sings, "Baby make I talk true? E be you dey calm my mind."
The narrative arc of Where Did Love Go? beautifully maps out the parameters of Tekno's participation in love. On the vibrant track Adaeze, he sings the praises of an ideal partner while plotting a staycation to apologize for his flaws, while Wedding Day evokes a fairy-tale nuptial over traditional rhythms. Yet, Tekno remains incredibly grounded in reality, humorously acknowledging the role of material wealth on the track Avelay with the blunt declaration: "What apology cannot do, money can do."
By the time the album rolls through other standouts like Bamboo, Press Button, Matter, and Port Au Prince, it becomes clear that Tekno has made a highly cohesive piece of art. Where Did Love Go? does not simply question the breakdown of relationships; instead, it celebrates the entire chaotic, beautiful ride of modern romance. It is a stellar, self-produced body of work that reinforces his status as one of African pop music most essential architects.
Listen to Where Did Love Go? here.
