On his long-awaited eighth studio album "Afro Freak" Ep, Akon brings his signature blend of international styles to striking effect. Across 8 tracks, he pushes boundaries as one of pop/R&B's most pioneering shape-shifting artists.

Productions merge influences globally, from Afrobeats/dancehall rhythms to futuristic textures. Akon navigates these eclectic soundscapes with his raw charisma intact across two decades.

Features from Diamond Platnumz, Busiswa and others emphasize the album's pan-African vision. Meanwhile, collabs with KiDi and Sage prove Akon's versatile pop appeal endures.

Lyrically, Akon reflects on love, success and cultural diversity with familiar wisdom. His ability to craft anthemic melodies also remains in top form on highlights like "Lonely" and "Who’s Gonna".

While some may pin his earlier prime, "Afro Freak" feels both a celebration of Akon’s genre-bending impact and harbinger of more genre-defiant artistry to come from a veteran who never stops evolving. It leaves listeners dancing and thinking in equal measure.

Through boundary-pushing sounds and messages of unity, Akon stays true to his name as one of pop’s most progressive forces two decades in. “Afro Freak” feels both a homecoming and exciting new chapter.