FOLA Announces Debut Album Catharsis, Set for Release on September 5

Rising Nigerian singer-songwriter FOLA has officially confirmed that his debut album, titled Catharsis, will be released on September 5, 2025, marking a major milestone in FOLA’s career. The album is coming after months of speculation and growing excitement among fans in the Afro-soul and alté music scenes.

The announcement came via the artist’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, August 15, accompanied by a striking visual of FOLA seated alone in a boat, symbolizing the album’s introspective and healing journey.

Two weeks earlier, on August 1, FOLA offered fans an emotional prelude to the announcement. In a heartfelt post, he opened up about the depth and vulnerability that shaped the album. Written over the span of a year, Catharsis is not just a musical project but a therapeutic journey.

“I made this project to mend what life tried to break, to let go of what I couldn’t hold onto, and most of all, to heal,” he shared.

FOLA emphasized that Catharsis is deeply personal, created during a time of emotional upheaval and growth. He described the process as a healing experience and expressed hope that listeners would find solace in the music as he did during its creation.

The choice of the album title is deliberate and revealing. Catharsis, a term rooted in Greek tragedy, which describes the emotional release and purification that comes through art. FOLA’s use of the word signals that the album is not only his story, but an invitation to heal alongside him.

By calling it “the album you didn’t know you needed,” FOLA hints at both the emotional depth and the universal relatability of the tracks. His honest, soul-baring approach sets him apart in a genre already known for storytelling and emotional nuance.

FOLA is part of a new wave of Nigerian artists pushing the boundaries of the genre, weaving together Afrobeat rhythms, R&B melodies, soul influences, and authentic lyrical content. His ability to blend contemporary sound with raw emotion has already earned him a loyal and growing fanbase.

With Catharsis, he appears ready to cement his place as one of the most promising voices in Nigeria’s alternative and soul scenes.

While the full tracklist is yet to be revealed, listeners can likely anticipate, emotive ballads rooted in personal experience, lush instrumentals blending traditional African sounds with modern production with themes of loss, resilience, growth, and healing.

As the countdown begins to September 5, whether you’re seeking healing, connection, or simply great music, FOLA’s Catharsis just might be the emotional reset you didn’t know you needed.