For much of his career, Nonso Amadi has straddled the divide between the polychromatic melodies that introduced Afropop to a global audience and the signature minimalism of the alté movement he cut his teeth on. On his latest project, TO CRY A FLOOD, the Canada-based star makes a case for both precepts to exist side by side. Over roughly 16 minutes, the mood is reconciliatory, with sunny pop hooks layered over midtempo instrumentation, as Amadi employs a mix of English lyrics and jagged pidgin to express longing, regret and acceptance. Recorded during an extended retreat from public view—like his debut album, When It Blooms—TO CRY A FLOOD grapples with how Amadi’s world-view is broadening as he advances in years and comes to terms with his place in a complex world. But where When It Blooms was contemplative and soul-searching, the six songs of TO CRY A FLOOD cast Amadi as a protagonist in full control of the flow of things. He’s ready to go all-in for a love interest on “DIVE IN”, but is preternaturally aware of his failings and seems unwilling to change, instead apologising for any hurt caused on “SORRY IN ADVANCE”. TO CRY A FLOOD is also deeply indebted to water as a metaphor, Amadi asking to drown in a lover’s warmth on “DROWN” and reflecting on betrayals on “MMIRI”, where his deft melding of Afropop and alté tenets is at its sharpest.