Soweto-hailing Kwela crafts an expertly unique African soundscape in his new album, We The Beautyful Ones.
With a background which spannes playing with the renowned Afro-funk band Kwani Experience (circa 2004), record label consultation, music supervision for television, and a life spent exploring the nooks and crannies of South African sound, Kwela has taken everything from his wealth of influence and rolled it into one spectacular offering.
“And so it begins,” comes the closing line of album opener “Hema and Tswi Daar” and Kwela’s unique, unorthodox album unspools. Clattering percussive textures pair with warping synths or a driving beat in just about every track – only each time it’s a little different.
“Kgalagadi, Not Kalahari” is bookended by thumping rhythm, while the middleground is a melting pot of organic textures as Kwela waxes lyrical on self-affirmation, “Kariba Gorgeous” is underpinned by a dark, rolling beat, “Young Black Lightening” favours a drum and bass backbone, while tribal acoustic rhythm of “Moya Moya” lends itself perfectly to its accompanying commentary on the human condition.
The overriding theme of the entire project centres around a sense of identity within the fraught South African landscape. Tracks like “Neo Apartheid”, “Short Short Story of Music Not Made In China”, “26 September”, and the textured speech that is “Winnie Says” hone in on this with a piercing gaze. But it’s within the six and a half minute ode to the creatives of Africa, “Pieces (Pt. I, II, III, IV)”, where it really hits home.
Kwela has created a robust, searingly unique ode to his homeland within this album. We The Beautyful Ones is richly imagined, unapologetically authentic, and fearlessly brought to life.
Feature pic by SisterBozza
