In a landscape where new music drops almost every day, it is easy for albums to disappear before they even get a chance to breathe. Cosamote’s Files, a 13-track R&B-driven project featuring 11 artists, was released just over two weeks ago. I had already written about the idea behind it before it dropped, so it was on my radar. But with how noisy every release cycle has become, I did not jump in immediately. I prefer to let the initial hype settle.

A week later, I finally sat with it. And from the opening songs, it was clear that Files was a well-curated experience.

The project begins with Consistency, a fast start that sets the tone. Rapper Caleb Clay wastes no time, laying out how he plans to treat his love interest with a direct, confident delivery. Jamz FR follows with a smooth, controlled verse that balances him out perfectly. It is the kind of opener that tells you the artists are not here to play.

One + One slows things down. Musta4a leads with a soft, serenading blend of Yoruba and English that embodies the album’s R&B heart. Fimi enters singing before sliding into rap mode, a switch she handles cleanly. Both artists return on Set the Fire, this time joined by Suurshi, whose soft vocals hold down the chorus. The track has a bouncy R&B funk feel, and Fimi’s rap gives it an extra spark.

Company, the project’s pre-release single featuring Caleb Clay and Creen Caesar, follows. For some reason, it feels like the one song that’s slightly out of place. Not bad, just different. However, it is slowly growing on me, so time might shift that opinion.

Sweetest Taboo is one of the album’s brightest points. Jamz FR and Adebaby deliver something special here. From the Sade-inspired title, expectations are high, and the song meets them.
Adebaby pours his heart out, ready to do anything for his lover.
“For your love, I go turn Nkita,” he sings, owning the chorus with incredible backing vocals from Suurshi.
Jamz FR follows with a stunning verse, her vocals lifting the track into something cinematic.

It’s Not My Fault (Me vs My Ex) is a clever back-and-forth. Tiwi raps both sides of a relationship conflict while Suurshi delivers a neutral, floaty chorus. It describes a real situation where both perspectives make sense, but still do not align.

Take It, an interlude by Suurshi, strips everything down to vocals and piano. She pours her heart out, and the simplicity works.

Pamukutu brings back Adebaby, this time with Musta4a, and they show clear chemistry. Musta4a opens with a catchy refrain:
“If it’s just you me, pamukutu baby, we go jamukutu.”
Adebaby’s verse is full of longing.
“All I need in this life is nothing but you.”
It is tailor-made for lovers and yearners.

On Not Enough, Musta4a teams up with Creen Caesar. The opening line, “One girl, two girls, not enough,” sticks immediately. The beat gives the track a steady, rhythmic simplicity, and both artists ride it effortlessly.

IJGB takes on a familiar December story, where returnees come back home for fun. Tiwi is shamelessly chasing an IJGB babe, Amakah, with Ilashe trips and Fela Shrine nights on his mind, even though he has a girlfriend.
Amakah, on the hook, is not worried about any of that:
“My body, my rules, I’m looking for a way to get lit.”
She is not committing to anything. She just wants the vibes.

Omo Mummy pairs Creen Caesar and Fimi on another love and desire track. The line “give you everything like I belong to Caesar” is ironically funny considering who she is featured with.

In Your Dreams dives into obsession. Reespect refuses to leave a problematic relationship.
“Yeah, you drive me crazy, but I was crazier before we met.”
Meanwhile, Rozz is dealing with an ex (Reespect) who is haunting him, literally. He smells her perfume on his pillow, and she is everywhere.
It is hilarious in song form, even though in real life it would not be. The storytelling is excellent.

Ololufe closes the album with Adebaby longing to return to his lover. But Amaka has checked out.
“Jor, Ololufe, I’ve had enough.”
It is a grounded and honest ending. Sometimes love does not last forever. It ends, and that is fine.

The production across Files is one of its strong pillars, handled by a diverse roster of producers who give the project its cohesive R&B identity while letting each track maintain its own flavour. Aykbeats sets the tone on the opener, while Trijay shapes a large part of the project’s sound with contributions on tracks 2, 7, 9, and 10. Saint Murz, Noah Aire, and Zyrx add their distinct touches on tracks 4, 6, and 3 and 12, respectively. Optimist delivers on tracks 5, 9, and 13, bringing warmth and groove to the project’s midsection. Yusf Akanni handles track 11, adding another layer to the project’s range. Together, they craft a soundscape that feels true to the project’s R&B-driven spirit.

Overall, Cosamote have managed to bring these artists together and create a beautiful album. The consistent R&B theme is clear, and each artist shines in their own way. These are independent artists with no label machine behind them, and with the whole project positioned as an experiment, it is still early days, but it is safe to call it a success.

There is a lot of music out there, but this project could stand the test of time.