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Janie Bay and Hunter Kennedy remind us about the power of change on “Ons Verander”

Janie Bay and Hunter Kennedy need to team up more often. The last time was back in 2017 for “Wag Vir Jou” off her debut album Miscellany, and I remember writing that that single was a proper banger after we named it one of our Top 20 Songs for that year. Listen back to it, you’re bound to agree with me. That song was also the catalyst in many ways for Janie pivoting to signing in Afrikaans instead of English, which was a very smart move.

Seven (??) years later and they’ve joined forces again for an indie-pop track called “Ons Vernader” and it’s hitting all the right marks for me.

“I sent Hunter the melody and chords without any lyrics and asked him if he wanted to write and sing the song with me. He said yes,” Janie explained to me when I asked her about the formation of the track. The result is an upbeat track, with a rollicking guitar melody that offers a refreshing outlook on change, urging us to embrace the complexities of that inevitable change when it occurs.

“Change is a constant, but we’re always fighting against it. I think this song welcomes change, especially change for the better,” Hunter told us. If you look at both artists, they’ve also changed immensely – while Janie is revelling in her new-found Afrikaans pop stardom, Hunter’s solo endeavour has allowed him the opportunity to stand centre-stage and express himself musically in perhaps a way he’s not able to in Fokofpolisiekar or Die Heuwels Fantasties.

The music video adds a playful dimension to the whole offering as the duo dress up in various costumes, which honestly just looks like the biggest jol. It’s all lighthearted fun, something we could all use a bit more of lately.