Konyikeh’s EP Litany is a Note to her Younger Self

by Yunah Elsner

Konyikeh's debut EP "Litany" is a mesmerizing tapestry of emotions, expertly woven through soulful vocals and haunting melodies. A delicate amalgamation of R&B, afrobeats and soul tunes, the five-track EP is a powerful introduction to her artistry. Each song is a contemplative exploration of sorrow, pain and loss. The rising singer-songwriter has crafted a bold and introspective EP that deeply resonates with the listener.

The rising London-based songstress was raised in Essex and began musically training at the age of 13. Konyikeh was exposed to a wide-range of musical genres through her mother, who played artists like Destiny’s Child and Kenyan Boys Choir at home. In 2022, Konyikeh garnered attention with her distinctive and soulful vocals at the BRIT Awards where she performed “In the Fire,” with UK rapper Dave. Signed under the record label F.A.M.M. ENTERTAINMENT, Konyikeh dropped ‘Litany’ on July 26, 2023.

"Litany" EP cover

Konyikeh created this EP as an immersive project tapping into her childhood. Although she engages with her Jamaican and Cameroonian heritage now, growing up Konyikeh experienced feelings of displacement attending a predominantly white institution. ‘Litany’ is a retrospective of these experiences and struggles of self-worth, identity and beauty.

Earlier this year, Konyikeh released her debut single and opening track to the EP, ‘Sorrow,’ which sets a plaintive tone for the album. Produced by Charlie J Perry and Paya, Konyikeh’s velvety vocals dance alongside low electric bass and subtle jazz piano rhythms. Konyikeh was thirteen when she wrote ‘Sorrow,’ a song about the loss of an unfaithful husband and father.

The second track of the EP, ‘Teenage Dreams’ plays a melancholic atmosphere through a relaxed R&B beat, carefully construing notes of electric guitar and drums. The song was released in May as Konyikeh’s second single. Although the dreamy tunes bring a sense of euphoria and relaxation, the vulnerable lyrics share the artist’s teenage struggle with self-identity. As explained by Konyikeh herself, the song explores her experiences of abandonment, rejection, and self-comparison.

‘I Cry’ and ‘Pride and Joy’ highlight Konyikeh’s low hypnotic vocals and showcase her vulnerable side. The minimalistic piano chords and orchestral strings throughout the tracks amplify the moods of longing and melancholy.

The EP closes with its final track, ‘Girls Like Us,’ a jazz-tinged R&B song. Konyikeh’s fervent vocals are accompanied by a light, jazz piano sample and melodious strings. She signs off by exploring themes of love, rejection, self-worth and beauty. “Girls Like Us” is the perfect outro track to bring ‘Litany’ and its deeply emotional stories to a close.