A Remarkable and Moving Debut: Konyikeh's "Litany"

Voices that arrest your attention with solely their tone are special, but when you add sincere and detailed storytelling, these artists have the tendency to leave lasting impressions.

Konyikeh, with her expressive voice, is a mesmerizing singer from London. This, paired with stirring production and personal lyrics makes her debut EP, Litany, an experience that will linger in your soul.

When Konyikeh was 13, the 23-year-old R&B artist wrote “Sorrow,” the first song on Litany. With beguiling percussion, guitar inspired by classic flamenco music, and graceful strings, the production is lush. Konyikeh’s voice is tremendous not only because of the tone but because of the depth it carries. Less than three minutes in length, “Sorrow,” is a stunning opener in which Konyikeh tells of how as a kid, she hadn’t experienced certain emotions yet, but sorrow was something she was very familiar with.

Following “Sorrow” is the sonically laidback yet soulful “Teenage Dreams.” Deeply personal, Konyikeh discusses growing up as a Black woman and compares her teenage dreams to her acquaintances, expressing heartache over being neglected.

Shrouding “I Cry” is a haunting atmosphere complete with piano and strings. The production and Konyikeh’s voice perfectly complement each other, making the listening experience more impactful. With lyrics such as “when the game’s all over, we cry,” the song uncovers how individuals everywhere feel obligated to remain composed even when they’re suffering, only crying when they’re in a safe space.

Beginning with solitary piano and of course, Konyikeh’s gorgeous voice, “Joy and Pride” builds in an organic way, growing darker as strings join the mix. From the second verse onward, the production grows, with a sense of urgency. In the meantime, the lyrics yearn for a second chance with someone close to Konyikeh. While the relationship could be interpreted as romantic, the song could be applied to any kind of strained or severed relationship.

Concluding Litany is the heart-wrenching “Girls Like Us.” Strings saturate the song, emphasizing the pain present in Konyikeh’s voice. In the lyrics, Konyikeh shares how she felt unwanted and forgotten in her youth, largely due to her skin color. Whenever she was given attention, she would go with it, even if it made her distressed. The vulnerability she shares throughout the EP is commendable and hopefully the creation of it helped her process these formative years.

Discussing the EP, Konyikeh describes litany as “a little prayer to soothe yourself.” While the songs on Litany concern a very grim time in Konyikeh’s life, writing them helped her endure. The way Konyikeh opens up about her past experiences is so important, especially for herself. Of course, these songs can help Konyikeh’s listeners connect with her as well as receive comfort, which is also very worthwhile.

Sonically, Litany is a gorgeous EP, but lyrically, it captures a crucial part of Konyikeh’s life, making it all the more an achievement.