catharsis (Fola album)
| Catharsis | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 4 September 2025 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 28:05 | |||
| Label |
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| FOLA chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Catharsis | ||||
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Catharsis (stylized in all lowercase) is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriter FOLA. It was released on 4 September 2025 by Dangbana Republik, and Empire. The studio album production credit are: L.O.L., Sbthaproducer, Shallythechampion, Kel-P, KTIZO Hoodini, Chuma Nwokike, Harrison Song, Adam Fritzle, Josh Milligan, Damie, Jhay2unez, and Promise.[1]
Background
In 2024, Bella Shmurda unveils FOLA as Dangbana Republik new signee.[2] On 2 December 2024, in an interview with TurnTable, he announced his debut EP what a feeling to be released in the same year, which became a commercial success and would pave the way for his next project.[3] On 15 August 2025, he announced plans to release his debut studio album.[4]
Singles
"Lost" was released on April 24, 2025, featuring Kizz Daniel,[5][6] as the first single from the album. "You" was released on 7 August 2025, as the second single of the album.[5][7] "Eko" was released on 1 September 2025, as the third single of the album.[5][8]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pulse Nigeria | 7.1/10 |
| African Folder | 7.6/10 |
| The Upper Entertainment | 8.7/10 |
Catharsis received generally favorable reviews from music critics. In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Adeayo Adebiyi says: "Fola’s run by expanding on the sound that brought him fame. His reluctance to embrace some variety and adventure leads to a predictability that can create dullness even for a 28-minute album."[9]
African Folder's Philemon Jacob describes the album as "is a clear stamp in the incredible moment Fola is having, a breakout year that would be remembered fondly in history."[10]
In review for The Upper Entertainment, Bomi Anifowose describes the album as "An imperfect, brilliant, and necessary debut that expands Afrobeats’ emotional vocabulary."[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gokada" | 1:43 |
| 2. | "Eko" | 2:54 |
| 3. | "Golibe" (with Victony) | 2:42 |
| 4. | "You" | 2:45 |
| 5. | "Lost" (with Kizz Daniel) | 2:48 |
| 6. | "Healer" | 2:35 |
| 7. | "Cruise Control" | 2:00 |
| 8. | "Robbery" (with Gabzy) | 2:44 |
| 9. | "Caricature" | 3:01 |
| 10. | "Disco" (with Young Jonn) | 2:13 |
| 11. | "It's Going" | 2:40 |
| Total length: | 28:05 | |
Notes
- All songs are stylized in all lowercase
Charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)[12] | 1 |
References
- ^ Adewale, Reuben (16 September 2025). "Catharsis: FOLA's Masterful Afrobeats Journey Of Love And Ambition". 49thStreet. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Oghale, Anine Juliet (11 October 2024). "Bella Shmurda unveils new signee 'Fola' to Dangbana Republik". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "The Start of Something Big". TurnTable. TurnTable. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Clifford, Elizabeth (15 August 2025). "FOLA announces debut album release date". NotjustOk. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ a b c Adeyemi, Boluwatife (3 September 2025). "FOLA Is On The Precipice Of Greatness". The NATIVE. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Taiwo, Olufunke (25 April 2025). "Lost Lyrics by FOLA Feat. Kizz Daniel". NotjustOk. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Badewa, Collins (8 August 2025). "Fola Continues His No-Bad-Songs Streak With "You" + More New And Trending Songs By African Artists". Style Rave. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Oloworekende, Wale (9 September 2025). "Best New Music: FOLA Weaves An Epic Tale Of Hustle On "eko"". The NATIVE. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo. "Fola's 'Catharsis' is an emotive tale of ambition and desire [Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Jacob, Philemon. "Fola – Catharsis Album Review: Stamp In The Present, A Promise For The Future". African Folder. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
- ^ Anifowose, Bomi. "Album Review: Fola's Catharsis is a triple-layered session of his therapy, our therapy, and Afrobeats' therapy". The Upper Entertainment. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Official Top 100 Albums: September 5th, 2025 - September 11th, 2025". TurnTable. Archived from the original on September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.