There is a thing or two about Nigerian artists that is ever so annoying. Not keeping to their word is one of it. Runtown is expected to drop his Tradition EP on Friday, May 31. But he got too excited and dropped it yesterday.

Everyone reported for that date. Calendars already marked. Stories written. Expectations rising. Now, that he has dropped the EP 7 days before the actual release date people will think everyone is lying — that everyone has no clue.

The good thing is people can see for themselves. They can see how their favourites, in a bid to surprise, are breaking their words. Why announce a specific date when it is the surprise you prefer, eh?

It is not Runtown’s fault at all. Sometimes, it is important to just get things done quick and move on. Especially when you have not released any project for a long time. An overwhelming urgency takes over you and you are just releasing everywhere.

Premature ejaculation. This is what you feel when you are unsure how fans will take your offering. But can one say, in spite of its early release, that Tradition failed in its thrusts?

The thing is, extensive duration does not equal enjoyment. Most times, it is better for things to come early so that every offer is seen bare on the table. It is what the early release of Tradition manages to do. The good thing is, it does so without leaving you with contempt — is that all?

The EP does well at establishing its direction from the first minute. “Redemption” grabs you by the hand and roughly situate you at the centre of Runtown’s effort to finish work with his love interest. You immediately feel alienated as the singer croons his lines rapidly that you want to distance yourself from the scene and let him do his thing.

Runtown knows how to do the love thing. He is just not consistent with the sweetness of it. Sometimes, he gets it, as with “Mad Over You“, other times it just lands on your skin, tepid and lacking the right dose of vibe. This is what you feel on “Emotions”, as the Spellz-produced song did not quite manage to get into the zone. It is perhaps why you will finish the song in the first place; the promise was strong enough.

“Tradition”, the third song on the 6-track EP, is perhaps where the tension rises. At this point, there is a worthy incentive to listen. Listener excitement quickens as the opening notes hit the ears. The ragga influence on the opening verse renders a sweet ascent before it dips again near the end of that verse. Runtown expertly switches it up again with the second verse, the result of which is an eardrum delight.

Tradition is replete with a veiled imitation of what the audience have come to know as the Pon Pon sound. This sound formed the basis of one of Runtown’s most successful singles ever. The singer continues to ride on the sound on his other works. You will find it on the lukewarm “Goosebumps” and “International Badman Killa”, which stands mysteriously as one of the most melodious songs on the EP and oddly similar to “Unleash”, the last track on the EP.

Runtown gave a slightly above average offer on the EP. It could be that Tradition is supposed to plant something in the mind of the audience until the real deal comes. If that were the case, the EP did not do badly. In fact, it has good replay value, but you will be doing so with the expectation that something better is coming. On too many occasions, Runtown is found riding a flat wave on Tradition. It then takes you to ride that wave while leaving you with little knowledge of the destination. Tradition never got there, but it is not a bad tape.

Listen to Runtown Tradition EP below: