Thando Skwatsha cuts a classic figure in a sun-soaked bougainvillea bush. This is “With You” – a silky electro-pop collaboration between Capetonian producer and engineer Milan Rendall (you may have heard his name drop when it comes to Sishii collabs) and singer-songwriter Thando Skwatsha.
The two met at UCT in 2018 – and proceeded to write and record their debut single “Could I Ever” that very same day. Now if that’s not a music match made in heaven I don’t know what is. The two have been tirelessly penning tracks since then and plan to drop their collaborative album Love Is in late July this year.
To tickle the taste buds and reel you in, they just released the visual accompaniment to “With You”: tracking a crooning, sentimental love (ish) song through just about every lockdown outfit – I assume – Skwatsha could find to shake up the aesthetic of the video.
Bucket hats, Panama hats, even Tam o’ Shanter makes an appearance. Skwatsha is melancholy and crooning, unraveling the sheer beauty of staying in the moment in relationships with honey-warm vocals and easy lyricism. Slick production blends a silvery synth beat and a sentimental melody line effortlessly.
The sun sets behind Devil’s Peak, he leans into the windowsill. It’s cheesy to a point – and catchy as heck. Keep an eye out for that album.
