TCL Review: Sampling again defeats originality, more ‘Bank Alerts’ for Psquare

After 13 years of releasing more commercial hits than any of their peers, one can now almost know what to expect from a Psquare song.

From the first sound of the instrumental – “Iye Iye e e ooh” – the all-too-known Psquare signature brings forth familiar melodies into one’s eardrum.

They remind you of many sounds, yet none in particular.

‘Bank Alert’, Psquare’s new song — after months of sometimes intense, often dramatic social media spats — is not much different from ‘Beauiful Onyinye’.

Although refreshing, ‘Bank Alert’ almost immediately brings back memories of ‘Iyogogo’, Onyeka Onwenu’s evergreen song, released decades ago.

But don’t get it twisted, sampling is neither a music or legal crime. After all, it is done by even the greatest artistes but then, it’s not farfetched to expect periodical flashes of genius — originality.

On this occasion, however, ‘Bank Alert’ can pass off as a perfectly executed remix of ‘Iyogogo’, which makes the song sometimes exhausting, yet addictive.

Overall, it’s a feel-good song which core fans of Psquare will enjoy with trepidation — for yet again, Paul dominated the singing, a major factor behind their occasional rifts of the past year.

At a time when all songs sound alike, Psquare’s ‘Bank Alert’ will go far, largely because it will definitely grow on you.

While Psquare has improved on its infusion of sounds, the twin brothers have declined in originiality.