Following the success of his previous projects, Tim Lyre returns with “Spiral,” a richly crafted sonic experience released on June 27, 2025. Before diving into the album, it’s worth noting how far he’s come: from a rising Alte-Afrobeats fusionist to a boundary-pushing creative whose growth is etched in every project.
Born Timothy Oyesanya, Tim Lyre is a rising figure in Nigeria’s alté renaissance, a genre-defying movement that took shape around 2016. Raised in a musically inclined family of choristers and organists, he began learning piano and music theory at age 10. His sound blends juju, highlife, jazz, R&B, gospel, and neo-soul, shaped by influences like Ebenezer Obey and John Legend. A multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter, Lyre released his debut single the same year he earned his law degree in 2016.
Though still emerging, Tim Lyre has become a name to reckon with, fusing alté and afrobeats with remarkable range and artistic depth.
To cut to the chase, let’s dive into the heart of the matter, Senpai’s newly released album. Among the many projects that have surfaced in 2025, Tim Lyre’s “SPIRAL” stands out as one of the most exceptional, largely due to the intentionality and craftsmanship embedded in every detail. Tim has always approached his albums with creativity and intentionality. His projects are never just a collection of songs; they’re thoughtfully curated around a central theme, with each track contributing to the story he wants to tell.
“Spiral“ unfolds in two parts, Disc 1 and Disc 2, each showcasing a different facet of Tim Lyre’s creative expression. With 16 tracks evenly split across both discs and 11 featured guest artists, the project offers a well-rounded, immersive journey through his evolving sound.
Spiral Album Review
In “Spiral,” Tim Lyre uses the symbol of a spiral to represent the cyclical nature of human experience, emotional, mental, and spiritual. According to Lyre, the title reflects themes of growth, chaos, love, grief, healing, and transformation. Rather than a straight path, the spiral loops, reminding us that life isn’t linear, we return to lessons and emotions, each time with new perspective.
Musically and thematically, Spiral reflects life’s emotional cycles. Disc 1 explores introspection and struggle, signaling a descent, while Disc 2 shifts to a brighter, more uplifting tone, symbolizing hope and growth. Together, they capture the duality of Tim Lyre’s journey.
Disc 1 Review
Opening the album is “Miles” featuring Moelogo, the first track on Disc 1. It begins with a smooth, mellow rhythm and a sampled female voice asking, “If you had a treasure, where would you hide it?” Tim Lyre sets the tone with his soulful vocals, gliding effortlessly over the beat with flowing melodies and reflective lyrics. He then hands over the chorus to Moelogo, who delivers a soothing and introspective hook that encourages listeners to pause and reflect. As the album’s opener, “Miles” fulfills its purpose, setting the mood and delivering a thoughtful message with depth and emotion.
Setting the tone for a gradual build-up in the project is “Rocketship.” As the title suggests, the track is all about elevation, taking off to another realm. With dreamy production and layered melodies, Tim Lyre invites listeners to rise above the noise and drift into a sonic space of escape and imagination. “Rocketship” isn’t just a song; it’s a moment of lift-off, pushing the album’s momentum forward and drawing listeners deeper into the journey of “Spiral.” The track also exemplifies the album’s Side A aesthetic, contemplative and vulnerable, dealing with themes of emotional flight and escapism.
Keeping the momentum of escape and elevation, “Glorybound” featuring Dap The Contract offers a tender, weightless moment filled with love and heartfelt confessions. Flowing seamlessly into “Lose My Mind” with Binta, Tim Lyre taps into his R&B side. Binta’s smooth vocals blend with his introspective verses, as the track explores mental health and urban struggles over lush, downtempo production.
Up next is “Storytime,” a standout feel-good R&B track featuring BINA. It’s a treat to hear Tim Lyre sing in his native Yoruba, adding depth and flavor. BINA opens with introspective lyrics and smooth delivery, before Tim jumps in with charm and confidence. Their chemistry shines, making “Storytime” a true highlight. The song balances raw confessional energy with gentle, buoyant instrumentation.
Following the mellow R&B vibes, Tim Lyre lifts the mood with “SKI,” a vibrant, feel-good track driven by playful rhythms and infectious hooks. The song brings a breezy, laid-back energy to the album, infused with clear Jamaican influences in both delivery and flow.
It’s no secret that Tim Lyre and MOJO AF are a perfect combo; their chemistry over the years remains unmatched. On “Villagio,” Tim brings MOJO on board to drop some hard-hitting bars, and as expected, he delivers effortlessly. The production is top-notch, and the outro beat ties everything together with a mad finish. Placing this as the second-to-last track on Disc 1, Tim sets the stage perfectly to close out the first half of the album.
Closing out the first half of the album is “NYE (Everywhere),” a gently rhythmic track featuring Joyce Olong, whose soulful vocals add warmth and depth. With themes of reflection and anticipation, it serves as the perfect turning point, marking the transition from Disc 1 to Disc 2 of the album.
Disc 2 Review
As the final notes of Disc 1 fade, “Spiral” transitions smoothly into its second act. After serving a soulful and introspective first half, Tim Lyre shifts gears, setting the pace for something bolder and more expansive. Like any great journey, the second half signals a turning point, a moment of lift, energy, and transformation. And as expected, Tim doesn’t hold back; he’s ready to take us even higher.
Opening Disc 2 on a high note is “Pot of Gold,” featuring the exceptional Joshua Baraka. Bursting with vibrant energy, the track blends Tim Lyre’s smooth style with Baraka’s patois-infused delivery, creating a standout moment. Beyond the vibe, it carries a hopeful message, wishing that everyone, including Tim himself, finds their pot of gold. The collaboration beautifully reinforces the album’s themes of hope and resilience. What a track to kick off the second half!
Keeping the momentum alive, “OMD” featuring NORA dives deeper into emotion and atmosphere. Laced with lush melodies and experimental textures, the duo crafts a dreamy, ethereal soundscape that explores themes of emotional risk and longing. NORA’s airy vocals pair seamlessly with Tim Lyre’s, creating a hypnotic blend that adds depth to the album’s reflective core.
Seamlessly shifting gears, “Locked In” featuring BOJ stands out as a bold declaration of focus and ambition. Over a bouncy, infectious beat, Tim Lyre speaks candidly about his dedication to the craft, echoing a message that sits with every dreamer. BOJ’s contribution elevates the track further, bringing swagger and synergy to a song that celebrates consistency as the true engine behind success. So far, Lyre proves his versatility, offering rich textures and themes without repeating a single vibe.
Before listening to the full album, “Economy” had already become a personal anthem, on repeat and still going strong. It’s the kind of track that pulls you into the heart of the album with its structure, seamless flow, and well-aligned verses. The collaboration with Show Dem Camp is truly exceptional. Every artist brings their unique energy, with SDC dropping jaw-dropping lyrics and Tim Lyre holding his own, especially on the second verse, where he crowns the track with a solid finish. Together, they vibe while shedding light on the state of the economy, making the message hit even harder.
As the journey continues, Tim Lyre slows things down with a moment of quiet reflection. “BETTER4U,” a sleek, modern R&B track featuring Manana, delves into themes of personal growth and letting go. Both artists showcase their emotional vocal ranges, perfectly complementing the album’s introspective tone and adding another layer of emotional depth to “Spiral.”
Shimmering with melody and intention, “Find You” sees Tim Lyre diving into themes of self-discovery. With its mid-tempo groove and dreamy instrumentation, the track captures the ache of searching for connection while holding onto hope. It’s smooth, reflective, and quietly powerful. Bold and full of swagger, “Popstar” shifts gears with boom-bap energy and razor-sharp bars. Tim Lyre raps about ambition and life in the spotlight, blending confidence with his signature touch.
And then, with “WAY/2/ME,” Tim brings it all home. Fueled by electric guitars and raw, emotive vocals, the album’s closer is a masterstroke, a moment of clarity and closure. It ties up the journey of Spiral with a mix of vulnerability and strength, as Tim reflects on where he’s been and where he’s headed.
Altogether, Spiral is more than an album; it’s a sonic journey through the peaks and valleys of the human experience. Tim Lyre masterfully blends genres, emotions, and narratives, crafting a cohesive body of work that feels personal yet universal. Whether you came for the vibes or the verses, the rhythm or the reflection, Spiral leaves you full-moved, inspired, and craving one more spin.
Where “Spiral” Falls Short
While “SPIRAL“ stands as a bold and richly textured album, it isn’t without its flaws. Tim Lyre’s ambitious fusion of genres, from boom-bap and amapiano to highlife and neo-soul, showcases his versatility but occasionally sacrifices cohesion. Some transitions between tracks feel less seamless, and the eclectic soundscape, though impressive, can at times come off as slightly unfocused.
With a 16-track runtime, the album also faces moments where the pacing dips, especially in tracks that lean more toward ambient or experimental interludes than fully fleshed-out songs. These moments, while sonically pleasing, can feel like light fillers that disrupt the strong momentum set by standout tracks.
Still, these are minor shortcomings in the context of SPIRAL‘s grand creative vision. They highlight the natural challenges of crafting a genre-fluid project that aims to push boundaries, and they don’t detract from the album’s emotional depth, sonic richness, or artistic ambition.
