Fans of Sauti Sol will already be familiar with Bien-Aimé Baraza, the hugely successful Afropop group’s smoky-toned vocalist, now known simply as Bien. Casting your mind back further may drum up memories of the singer-songwriter’s bare torso in the divisive video for Sauti Sol’s hit single “Nishike”, which he proudly displays once again on the cover of his debut album, Alusa Why Are You Topless?. Inspired by his mother’s reaction to his appearance in that video, at face value Bien’s first solo offering can be taken as a response to her frank question—certainly the front half of the record leaves no room for doubt. “Have you ever made love to a legend?” Bien croons on “Legend (Intro)”, setting up for a immaculate run of sensual, R&B-influenced midtempos, interspersed with the occasional curveball—roughly textured, acoustic guitar chords on “Chikwere”, a fiesta of brassy horn stabs throughout “Lifestyle”—that do well to remind of the star’s diverse skill. Towards the tail end of the album, however, the unmasked desire of tracks like “True Love” or “I Want You” gives way to songs more concerned with matters of the head than of the heart. “A Student” explores the feeling of a child being belittled by an adult for their ambitions while the lyrics of “Time Alone” see Bien longing to take some time away from the pressures of life. It’s a well-rounded presentation of an artist exploring new avenues of expression, proof positive there are more layers to Bien than meet the eye—even when he takes one off.