Photo Credit: Bobby Zithelo
Nigerian – Irish artist Tolü Makay returns with her most personal and powerful work to date, People Still Cry in Summer, a six-track EP that charts resilience, healing, and self-discovery. The project arrived September 26th via Bandcamp, Her Website and September 29th on streaming platforms, with the bold and defiant “I AM” leading as its focus track.
Tolü joins the lineup of Cork Jazz Festival on October 25th, followed by a headline date at Grove House, Westport on October 26th, with more live shows to be announced soon.
About the EP
Written over the past four years, People Still Cry in Summer emerged from voice notes, poems, and fragments of reflection that became Tolü’s way of processing some of the most challenging moments of her life.
“My last EP, Being (2020), captured an earlier stage of my journey. People Still Cry in Summer continues that map of self-discovery,” says Makay. “These songs reflect how I’ve had to rebuild my confidence, shed shame, and reclaim my voice after years of personal and industry challenges. This project is about resilience, a reminder that we are always more than our pain.”
Through contradictions of joy and sadness, fear and bravery, the EP mirrors the complexity of being human. It is both a reclamation of power and a beacon of hope for anyone standing at a crossroads, needing reassurance of their own strength.
Tracklist
- I AM (2:53) – A declaration of selfhood and defiance. Identity framed as joy and resilience.
- Lonely (2:46) – A cry of isolation, raw and oceanic in its emotional honesty.
- Highnote (3:30) – Fragile yet soaring, a plea for release and transformation.
- Trust (4:02) – An anthem of surrender, finding courage in uncertainty.
- Blackbird (1:39) – A manifesto of unapologetic individuality and reclamation of roots.
- Become the Fire (3:34) – A hopeful closing, transforming hardship into creative fuel.
Focus Track: ‘I AM‘
Bold and unapologetic, “I AM” sets the tone for the EP. With lyrics like “I’m too blessed to be stressed, I just want my peace of mind,” it is both a proclamation of independence and a shield of resilience. A song of empowerment, it affirms the right to carve one’s own lane despite doubt, gossip, or pressure to conform.
About Tolü Makay
Tolü Makay is a Nigerian-Irish singer and songwriter whose soulful voice and fearless storytelling have made her one of Ireland’s most compelling independent artists. Her sound blends alternative soul, poetic reflection, and cinematic production, creating music that is as intimate as it is expansive.
From national radio hits and orchestral collaborations to opening for Gabrielle at Dublin’s 3Arena, Makay continues to carve a unique path, unfiltered and unforgettable. With People Still Cry in Summer, she delivers her most vulnerable and empowering work yet.
Live Dates
- Oct 8 – IFW (Ireland Fashion week) performing at Sasha Donnellan Fashion show event
- Oct 25 – Cork Jazz Festival
- Oct 26 – Grove House, Westport
- More to be announced
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/tolumakay