Peter Ngqibs brings something pretty unique to the table with his introspective new album WDYS?
The operative question here is “what do you see?” and it forms the centre point around which the entire offering hinges. The album is replete in personal considerations, a multi-faceted portrait of him as an artist and a curated narrative on life, death, rejection and untapped potential.
Chiming synth and atmospheric textures infuse opener “wdys?”, echoed later in the soothing bars of “breathe”. Carefully selected collaborations pepper the album – from Moonchild Sanelly and Sevenths’ punchy feature on the robust Mika-esque “sweety”, which also got a cheeky, polished visual treatment which dropped today, to the stellar line-up of Travie Austin, Daveda Browne, Mia Pafumi who lends their respective prowess to “nothing to hide”.
Elements of R&B, 2000’s Brit-pop, synth-bop, soul and enduring balladry weave their way through the offering constantly. Crooning piano serenades “a kiss” and “sunflower”, Kyle Deutsch lends some heft to the snicking bass of “i miss you” – while dewdrop synth and self-deprecating verses dominate “i told you so”.
Peter Ngqibs brings a little bit of everything to the table here. And while he may err occasionally on the basis of over familiar balladry, his expert experimentation delivers this album with a punch.
Feature pic supplied by artist
