For clarity’s sake, this isn’t some kind of song popularity summary list for the year. In fact, a number of tracks on here were relatively ignored by consumers; in comparison to their counterparts in similar categories & by similar or even the same musicians. Furthermore, this isn’t even about the execution of the ideas behind the listed songs. After all, it’s evidently common to find unimaginative music clothed in fine layers of sleek topnotch production. For this specific consideration, we’d favor an excitingly imaginative but underproduced “sloppier” track over an eyerollingly generic & bland piece chock-full of all the smoothest production hacks in the books. In other words, the list is about the material itself minus all the extra pomp; it’s about the skeleton, if you will. That clarified, let’s dive in!
1. “Still Lose” by Xenia Manasseh ft Hamzaa
Hands down atop the list, & a perfect example of immaculate material over packaging. The number’s stripped of all potential superficialities & the substance shines without distractions. Both songstresses are at the apex of their vocal powers, against a pristine delayered-yet-thick melodic instrumental progression. Standout from its native project and in our books too.
2. “nirvana” by Manzi Fleur
Bro shone on “Mabel Train”, but nowhere more specifically than on “nirvana”, from a sonic standpoint, that is. Otherwise he did have some cold wordplay on a host of tracks, but we’ll stay on topic for this feature’s sake. Aided by Mwiza, the number has one heck of a quirkily memorable main refrain, and such detail at its tail end that we had to reevaluate our estimation of Manzi. Well done, it’s never easy to get us to that point!
3. “U Know Me” by Bunjoville
The first time we paid an ear to this number, we were left surprised on many fronts. Peep this, here you have an acoustically atmospheric number, stunning both in structure & vocal melody; in ways that surpass many of its mainstream contemporaries. And the delivery is as unassuming as can be. Earnest request if anyone from the crew’s reading this, please push further with the boldness of sound. It’d be a thrill to get another one of these in this mold.
4. “Leave A Mess” by Matt Travers
In a different timeline, this would be a seminal banger. Still, it’s never too late to draw retrospective attention onto a worthwhile tune. We made this inclusion on grounds of texture & novelty of sound (in this context). Our sentiments about it are explored even further in our earlier evaluation of the piece via our review section >> singles category; help yourself to it.
5. “Splinters” by Wanja Wohoro
Poignant guitar, enchanting pipes, melancholic heaviness, and Lourdesque harmonies, all couched in a simple yet compelling structure: Wanja’s a vibe!
6. “Countdown” by Vini Mercy
If this list were about more than just sound, we’d wax poetic about other aspects on this track & the whole EP it’s extracted from. But that’s for another day, we guess. That said, it’s made it on here not for some magical structural feature, but for how Vini centers its bold fusions; an ethnically driven, raw play-chant alongside buoyant bars, carpeted by dancey beats; all without seeming patchy. Bold number.
7. “Ninyowe Rwebembera (Intro)” by Kohen Jaycee
Less than a minute long, it’s nowhere near the highest rated of the tracks from the project it’s on. Yet it’s unique to an extent we’re uncertain our main man himself picks up on. It feels like a section plucked from a swelly part of a potent Pink Floyd proggy piece. Wouldn’t it be cool if the scene diversified its sound to more eclectic tastes of this kind? We back here certainly look forward to such a possibility.
8. “Enjiri” by Ambroy
Driven by a loopy MIDI-esque progression, its greatest strength is moderation & restraint, lengthwise and in the elements it harnesses. Typical of his last EP, Ambroy employs language from more than just a standpoint of meaning, but as a device of sound. Mindful that rhythm is a make-or-break for his kind of craft, he’s careful for it not to come off as forced. Thankfully, he gets what he set out for here. His Runyankore bars slide so suavely against the assertive beats beneath them. There was no way the piece would miss a slot on here; sublime!
