On his fifth project Don’t Get Used to This, singer-songwriter WulrD sets out on two broad aims: to recapture his pioneering exploration of Afropop-fusion, and to further push the genre’s boundaries. The seven songs on the EP blend the mutable sonic template of Afropop and rigour of contemporary R&B, a broad template which, in WurlD’s singular interpretation, makes for memorable vocal performances. “I’m a writer first,” WurlD tells Apple Music; “the singer is the other piece of the puzzle, because the singer delivers what the writer thinks, and has created and has experienced. The performance comes last.” Don’t Get Used to This marks a new phase for the Nigerian-born artist and American transplant with sights on global reach. Rather than invest in a considerable playlist as with his previous album My WurlD With U (2022), the singer has opted for concision and emotional acuity. The overriding intention remains authenticity, or the quest for it, in memories or music, love or life, all of which starts with self-mastery. “It’s the self-love that you give yourself that allows you to be able to love somebody else,” WurlD explains. “This project is me really showing my purest imagery of how I feel, or how I feel like this thing needs to feel without putting boundaries and things up, and allow myself to be broken by it.” Whether pining for a lover’s company, or making assurances of his unfailing love, no advances are made at the expense of self-worth or mental well being. WurlD’s new phase is further defined by a break from past business relationships, discovering chemistry with new producers and reuniting with the producer Sarz, his long-term collaborator. “It took a lot of process”, says the artist born Sodiq Onifade. “I had to build confidence again. A lot of prayers, being around the right people, having a small circle. I kept myself around people that were excited for me just to feel that new energy again. I travelled, spent a lot of time just creating music freely, to be honest. That was my duty to myself, my art, my passion and my love for the music. Just so that I can continue to serve.” Below, WurlD talks us through the album, track by track. “Do It” “'Do It', for me, is a musically perfect song. From vocals to the elements in it, from the production to the rhythm. It's a perfect Afro-soul, Afro-fusion song. I didn't want to cheat the song with very comfortable riffs and runs.This song is about a girl who comes to you saying she wants this, wants that, and you limit what you do because this is a temporary vibe for you. You have so many rules in that situation. Fast-forward and you meet someone where you feel like, ‘Yo, I'll do all the things that I swear that I would never do. I'll do it for you.’ This is an assurance thing— how I feel like people are, when they find that person that they actually connect with, that really they lose their guard with.” “Company” “I feel like [the] company that's worth really keeping has to give you peace in the midst of all the madness that happens in the world. This is me being like, 'Can this moment last a little longer? Can you just stay around? Even if we don't do anything, even if we just dance all night, even if we just chill and watch something. Even if we just drive around at night. Even if we just do the most basic things, just lay and just cuddle, I could use your time a bit longer if you would allow me.’” “Location” [WurlD & Sarz] “I don't think anybody kills Sarz's beats better than I do, and everybody knows. It's not a conversation. And it's just the fact that I come with something totally different. Sarz is the one producer that does not settle. He's constantly trying to push sonics, find new ways to do things, trying to change what’s been done. He's not a trend follower. I'm not a trend follower either. When we come together, he's constantly trying to outdo me. He's a very reserved person. He doesn't speak much. You don't even know what he's thinking, but he’s very intentional. Our friendship is one of respect.” “Shake” “Everything about 'Shake' is just fluid Afro-house. I wanted to create a song where every verse was a celebration. I didn't want it to feel like a verse. I wanted everything to feel like a hook. I wanted it to be a dance record. When you're with the right person, they create different moments for you. You realise you don't even need a stripper, because a lot of times, people go outside [a relationship] to get that. I love strip clubs. I haven't been in a while, but there was a time I was addicted to going to strip clubs in [Atlanta]. It was an addictive environment. And being African and just being in the US away from my parents, and being a teenager, and learning and being a guy and just trying to experience new things — I was so addicted.” “Sarafina” “This was one of the first songs in my life that I actually completed. It was one of the few songs that I composed mainly by just humming. There is a vocal flute on it that was made by the producer I worked with on this song [an interpolation of Paul Play’s 2007 single, 'Forever']. People are going to be like, 'Yo, this reminds me of a Paul Play record'. But it's good, because it's going to make people love the song even more.” “Melanin Riddim” “My very first line in the verse, I was like, 'Baby, my choice will never change from you. My taste would always long for you.' I wanted to make a statement of just the everlasting love for it. I think that's going to be a very controversial one for whoever wants to be like, 'Yo, is melanin all you like?' But it's just an appreciation and I didn't want to half-ass the appreciation of it. I didn't want to put an option for appreciation. Also, I feel like it's important for people to hear what I'm able to do with new producers that nobody knows. It's important for the story of WurlD.” “Sare” “‘Sare' in Yoruba means 'hurry up'. Love doesn't last forever. It doesn't have to be perfect. Why are you overthinking me? Why are we overthinking this moment? Why are you overthinking the fact that actually it could be your best option? Why are you holding back a little bit from me? Why are you not trusting that I'm actually what I say I am? Why are you not trusting that I am as pure as it feels? Are you not sure because you've been broken before? Now, it's not about me anymore. It's about you, right? It's about your insecurities. I've grown to a certain level, but damn, this person hasn't grown. Our battle is the struggle to love each other. To find ourselves. I found myself; I know what I want. So now I have to be patient for this girl to get up to my level.”