Fally Ipupa – Reyna

Congolese rumba star Fally Ipupa delivers “Reyna,” another highlight from his ambitious “XX: Délirium” project. The very name conveys a regal weight, suggesting a fondness for someone treated like king.

Throughout this album, Fally has been mixing his Congolese rumba roots with more modern African sounds, and “Reyna” continues to highlight that diversity. As the compilation is spread across four disks and has 51 tracks, it is crucial that each song sounds different, and this one goes for sophisticated songwriting that works perfectly alongside his more sentimental numbers. This is very clearly built to be a standalone in a huge tracklist like this.

The whole production marries the classic rumba form with new African elements and the arrangement has great breadth. Nothing here sounds like it’s stuck in one age.

There’s true craft in how Fally continues to find fresh angles on love and appreciation in such a big production and “Reyna” adds another piece to that puzzle. His style is poetic and graceful rather than declarative. It sounds like real reverence in some of his most sophisticated songwriting.

“Reyna” works because Fally Ipupa completely owns that blend of tradition and modern shine. Nothing here sounds like a rehash of earlier numbers on the album. It’s a real standout in the enormous “XX: Délirium” project.