After the emotion-heavy Sincerely Benson in 2023, BNXN returns with his second studio album, Captain, a 16-track body of work that stays well within his comfort zone.

While the melodies remain smooth and his writing polished, the project largely avoids creative risks, leaving listeners with familiar sounds.

Released under T.Y.E and EMPIRE, Captain arrives with lofty expectations, especially following the heated 30BG drama and a string of strong pre-release singles. But instead of rising to the occasion, BNXN mostly rehashes the same formula—mid-tempo grooves, quiet boasts, and romance-soaked melodies that blur into one another after a few tracks.

On the album cover, BNXN appears flanked by soldiers, possibly symbolising each track as a loyal follower. The imagery suggests leadership, direction, and strength. But beneath the symbolism lies a sense of fatigue.

On the opener I Alone, he admits, “I feel I am all alone, on my own,” gliding between English, Pidgin, and Yoruba as he searches for solace. It’s a vulnerable start that hints at depth, but what follows is a loop of recycled flows, even when the subject matter varies. BNXN may speak in different tongues, but he rarely changes his tone.
Tracks

The highlights, unsurprisingly, are the singles. Phenomena brings a smooth blend of confidence and playfulness. On Very Soon, newcomer FOLA delivers an earnest hook before BNXN’s mellow vocals enter. Laye Mi glows with Yoruba lyricism, boldly claiming his space in the spotlight.

Fi Kan We Kan, featuring Rema, is one of the few times the album shakes off its sleepy energy. The log drum-driven beat and Rema’s verse breathes life into the project.

Other moments, like Totori (which borrows from ID Cabasa’s classic), and Ashimolowo, feel like BNXN on autopilot—melodic, clean, but predictable.

On Cutesy, he whispers his way into intimacy, while Set Up with Seyi Vibez attempts to bottle stardom into sound but lacks flair.

Captain (the title track) is perhaps the weakest of the bunch, a muddled mix of ambition and tired delivery. “I did not choose this life, but the life chose me,” he says, but the message is lost in a sea of washed-out vocals and lazy mixing.

Jies tries to raise the tempo with a nod to Burna Boy’s Turn Up, but the excitement is short-lived. By the time Eleyi, Yes Sir, and Cough Syrup roll in, the songs begin to blend into each other, no longer distinguishable by hook, theme, or texture.

BNXN is never sloppy. His pen remains sharp. His cadence is smooth. His production team understands how to build soundscapes that flatter his style. But Captain reveals a deeper issue: repetition.

He thrives in the slow-burning R&B lane, no doubt. But across 16 songs, the lack of vocal variation or structural surprise becomes glaring.

Songs like 5hrs Till Nairobi are good, but when they sound nearly identical to five others, the impact fades.
The album’s most telling moment may be Cough Syrup featuring Victony. “They can’t touch my flows,” BNXN sings. But that line is both a boast and a trap. The flow might be untouchable, but if it never evolves, it becomes a cage.

Captain is not a bad album; it’s smooth, emotionally open, and cleanly produced. But it’s also painfully safe. BNXN leans so heavily on his proven style that he forgets to take the listener anywhere new. He plays the role of a confident leader but seems unsure of where to lead us next.

With a pen this gifted and vocals this fluid, BNXN has no excuse to be this predictable.