THERE IS A SONG FOR EVERY MOOD AND THESE SONGS ARE FOR YOUR BLUES
Humans are complex beings with complex feelings and often, they find themselves failing to identify and vocalise their feelings. Here are three songs that will not only describe those complex feelings but will motivate and remind everyone that they are not alone. Released in August 2022, Yallunder’s Angelic Voice takes us through the deepness of anxiety and depression with Ndinovalo. The Xhosa word Ndinovalo can mean “I am scared” or “I have fear”. Accompanied by the harmonic sounds of the piano, her haunting voice speaks about these dark shadows that come with suicidal thoughts; these shadows threaten her happiness. Yallunder proceeds to tell us how she can live with these shadows during the day, she can smile during the day but at night these shadows suffocate her. Her sad voice keeps repeating the words Ndinovalo (I am scared) in the background and her soulful vocals and harmonious instruments create this heartfelt, gloomy tone that will make one dive into the deepest parts of their soul. Yallunder’s music is a fusion of RNB and Afro-pop, in Ndinovalo she brings forth the complexities of depression and how even the happiest people might be having private battles. In the last verse she asks for help, she says, “Extend your hand, my life is dark”.
Kill the Noise by Nasty C featuring Anica and Maglera Doe Boy, comes from Nasty C’s Album I Love it Here. Kill the Noise speaks of the breaking point in Anxiety and depression, where one is saying it’s enough and this no longer serves them. The “Noise” that is being killed in this song is not literal noise, it’s anxiety and the voices that keep screaming “You are not enough”. When pressing play, one is greeted by Anita’s dreamy vocals accompanied by the soothing notes of a piano, she speaks of the noise, and when her verse is done Nasty C comes in as though he killed the noise. His descriptive lyrics take us through a murder scene, where he is getting rid of evidence that might show that he killed this noise, he plans what he will say to the police, how he will clean the scene and how this was self-defence and then Anica comes in, her voice more powerful and her convincing us that what she did was right because this noise was going to hurt her if she did not kill it. Immediately after Anica’s verse, Maglera jumps on the beat, with catchy bars. Unlike the first three verses, his verse is more literal, reminding listeners of how God and faith can help fight one’s deepest and darkest thoughts. Nasty C’s approach to this song is different, he vividly describes a scene where one is getting away with murder while he is merely just describing the battles that go on in one’s mind and how important it is to “kill” the noise in your mind and like Anica said, “self-defence is not murder”.
The last song is one of hope and rejuvenation and the title I believe says it all. Released early this year, I believe by Mnqobi Yazo is an anthem for new beginnings and does not give out the illusion that the journey is easy, he speaks about how even though he fails now tomorrow he will wake up and try again. The modern sound of the piano is accompanied by African drums in the background and that gives the song an African feel. The chorus “I believe” sounds as though it’s in the background creating chant-like sounds that when merged with the drums and Mnqobi Yazo’s voice, sound like a war song or war cry—reminding us that every day is a war that has to be won and yesterday’s failures are not the failures of today or tomorrow. Mnqobi Yazo’s honesty and his raw husky voice make this song relatable. He speaks about how he wanted this to be a motivational song but he is failing to motivate, showing that sometimes he lacks motivation like normal people. Throughout the song, he keeps saying, “There is no room for failure”.
Music is always beyond the beats and vibes; it buries messages that can help one get through everyday life and these three songs serve as a reminder that South African Music still speaks to its people.