“How dem go learn if I no preach!”

The pensive percussions accompanied by the melancholic whispers of budding star introduces us to Llonas homeless. And homeless is introduced to us.

The crooner, with his voice transports this music dreamscape, right off the intro, he sings. He sings a story of moving forward. A journey he has been on since god knows when, he has kept going uphill despite what it does to him and how others around him are faring. He is scared. But nonetheless he would keep moving not just for him but his people, lone soldier

Llona has always looked inwards for inspiration, the source of his music; his tales, his regrets, his pains and his hope. Like painting with one’s blood. Llona reaches from the deepest part of himself to fuel his artistry, and the beauty it creates when it connects with the listener.

Right after a sensational intro in ‘Still Scared’, we hear Llona sing on a melody that has been laced with the most spiritual of drums. ‘Commander’ like the name suggests, the song is covered with militant and battle metaphors, he uses this metaphors to explain how he sees life, the endless battles, the camaraderie ’even if I bleed I would never say no’ ‘my life is on the line if my brother say so’. Lyrics that go straight from the ears to heart! And the feature. Wow! The chant from the amazing Wizard Chan just rose the song to another height. A spiritual melody.

On the third track, “Can’t Breathe” he narrates a dangerous encounter from the past that led him to go on the run, and goes on to sing about being understood, while still delivering scintillating verses. Although it’s a sober song with reflective lyrics it is executed on an optimistic almost groovy upbeat, shout out to Drimz and Tuzi on production, His storytelling prowess in full flow throughout the album.

In “Another Day”, the lead single to the album he’s hoping, certain that he’ll get to a better day regardless, optimistic and in the next track he has gone back to the somber, ominous mood, wailing about fake OG’s and fake “high blood pressure if you go think am”. The HPB Remix with Bella Shmurda, was the world, Bella, being no stranger to pouring his heart in his music was the perfect companion for Llona’s blues.

Each track is more than just a story. It is a lesson and an advice to his listeners as much as well for himself. His intentions clawing their ways from the lyrics right into our ears. On “Cold War” he invokes Fave’s vocal mastery and experienced production from Damie to tell his tale.

At first listen, some would think ‘Stranger’ is a song to reminisce about a past lover with lyrics like ‘oh you took everything from me’ and ‘without you I’m safer’ chants in the chorus. The artists has confirmed on a podcast, Osikoya Speaks that the song was about his father, who in fact is like a stranger to him.

On ‘Gangsta Love Letter’, you can feel as he narrates a tale about a lovelust relationship. Llona’s talent shines in the way he puts you through his stories so you get to almost experience it, his melodies carrying you through each moment.

Llona’s homeless is a collection of tales and experiences, of hopes and dreams, of struggle and regrets, sometimes managing to balance both themes in the same song like he did in ‘Billion Paper’ where he yearns to make it big, while still acknowledging he has chosen the ‘risky road’. Other times he is singing how only marijuana could comfort him, a pain many understand. When the only time you can feel alright is after shaking hands with your dealer.

Llona’s writing is beautiful. He makes use of so many techniques to make sure his message is heard. His favorite strong one liners that are similar to quotes of wisdom, like in the penultimate track, ‘Rollercoaster’, he sings ‘prophet no dey hide from him disciples’. This simple but heavy words helps him paint his picture with his music.

Finally, the outro. After a tell all tale, Llona closes the Homeless experience with ‘Forgive Me’. A top favorite of mine. The Outro, ironically is the most upbeat song of the album, but that does not take away the lyrical value of the song. He sings about the importance of forgiveness, how he is comfortable with his imperfections and how he hopes everyone he hurts or disappoints forgives him. Splendid.

With his lyrics and experiences as his arsenal and bomb of a first ever project, Llona has shown in twelve reflective and pulsating that real music still exists for those that want to listen.