Enough Time Has Passed: The Unfiltered Reviews of Fireboy DML’s ZUKO! Album
Let’s be honest, Fireboy DML has reached that stage of his career where releasing a good album is no longer enough. People want another Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps. Some want the emotional Fireboy from APOLLO, while others are still waiting for him to deliver another run of hits like the one he had during the Playboy era. So when ZUKO! finally dropped, the question was not just whether the album was good. It was whether Fireboy still had that thing that made people fall in love with his music in the first place.
Now that ZUKO! has been out for a few days, the conversation is getting interesting. Some listeners believe Fireboy has delivered another solid project, while others feel the album could have been better. Music critic Daniel Regha rated it 5.5/10, acknowledging Fireboy’s vocals but criticising aspects of the lyrics and song selection. On the other hand, Album Talks gave the project 8.4/10, praising its songwriting, production and overall execution. That is a serious gap in opinion, and honestly, it tells you how differently people are receiving this album.
So, Is ZUKO! Actually a Good Album?
My take? Fireboy did not flop, but I would not call ZUKO! a perfect album either.
One thing you cannot take away from this guy is his ability to sing. Even when a song does not immediately catch your attention, the vocals are usually there. On ZUKO!, he moves between Afropop, R&B, dancehall and South African-inspired sounds without completely losing his identity. The 13-track album also has a clear thread running through it, touching on faith, ambition, relationships and the pressure that comes with success.
But here is where things get interesting. Being versatile is good, but not every experiment will connect with everybody. Some songs will enter your playlist immediately, while others might need a few more listens before you understand what Fireboy was trying to do. And for an artiste with his catalogue, fans are naturally going to compare the new material with his older work. That comparison is not always fair, but it is part of the game.
The Songs That Stand Out on ZUKO!
1. “BY FIRE!”
This is one of the tracks that gives the album its identity. Fireboy brings spiritual warfare into his music, using familiar Nigerian prayer language while maintaining a confident, almost confrontational energy. It is not just another song about money and success; there is a clear concept behind it.
2. “KILOWI”
For me, this is one of the strongest records on the album. Fireboy sounds more at home when he is singing about love, heartbreak and the kind of situation that makes you wonder where things went wrong. The melody carries the emotion without making the song feel like he is trying too hard. This is the kind of record that reminds you why people rate his songwriting.
3. “IMALI”
The South African influence gives this track a different flavour. With JAZZWRLD and Thukuthela involved, “IMALI” leans into a sound that feels built for movement rather than sitting down to analyse every lyric. It is one of the more interesting examples of Fireboy stepping outside his familiar sound.
4. “GODDESS” ft. Lojay
Fireboy and Lojay make sense together. Both artists know how to deliver smooth, romantic vocals, and the collaboration fits naturally into the album. It might not be the most surprising pairing, but it is a good match.
5. “FIGHTING”
Ending the album on a vulnerable note was a smart move. Beneath the confidence and success, Fireboy still sounds like someone dealing with personal struggles. It gives the project a more human ending and connects with the themes introduced at the beginning.
Where ZUKO! Could Have Done Better
My biggest issue is not that the album is bad. It is that some listeners may finish it without finding enough songs that immediately become personal favourites.
Fireboy has set a high standard for himself, and that can be both a blessing and a problem. When you have released songs that people connect with deeply, a new project will naturally face questions about whether it has that same emotional pull. On ZUKO!, the strongest moments are convincing, but not every experiment lands with equal force.
The album also moves across several sounds, which makes it interesting, but listeners who prefer the softer, more emotional Fireboy may not connect with every direction he takes. Meanwhile, people looking for a collection of instant hits may find themselves debating which songs have the biggest replay value.
Still, I would rather see an artiste try different things than release the same album over and over again just because fans are comfortable with a particular sound. The real question is whether those experiments produce songs people will still be playing months from now.
Final Verdict: What Do We Rate ZUKO!?
For me, ZUKO! is a good album with some genuinely strong moments, even if it does not hit the same way from beginning to end. Fireboy still has the voice, the melodies and the ability to make a song feel personal. The project shows an artiste who is willing to explore different sounds while trying to work through the pressure of maintaining his position.
Is it better than Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps or APOLLO? That will depend on what you value most in Fireboy’s music. Is it a disappointing album? I would say no. But if you expected every track to be a classic, you might need to adjust your expectations.
My rating: 8/10.
It is a solid project, not a flawless one. There are songs worth revisiting, interesting production choices and enough personality to make the album stand on its own. Time will tell which tracks have real staying power, but I would not write ZUKO! off after just a few listens.
Now, make una talk: Is ZUKO! really an 8/10 album, or is Fireboy getting more credit because of the name he has built? And which song are you playing the most?