Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight: Mood Music
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Hello!
Greetings to all the sound voyagers, the wanderers of rhythm, the ones who treat every new song as a fresh landscape waiting to be explored. We hope you are doing well and that September has been kind to you so far.
Some things are changing here in our little corner of sound. The spotlight will now appear every two weeks instead of every week, but do not despair. This simply means the playlists will be longer, richer, and give you more time to truly dwell in the moods and textures of the music. We are always here with you and always listening.
Over the past two weeks, we’ve gathered songs steeped in mood and drenched in emotion, and we are excited to share them with you.
Before we begin, remember to follow us on our socials so you never miss a drop. August’s monthly spotlight is still waiting for your enjoyment if you haven’t spent time with it yet. And as always, to the artists among you, our doors remain open. We are eager to hear your submissions, so don’t hesitate to send them to yinoluu@afrocritik.com. We’re itching to spotlight your own work as well!
Without further delay, let’s dive into this week’s brilliant selection, which comes in the form of:
MOOD & EMOTION: This section collects the songs that lean heavy into atmosphere and feeling, bringing us close to the heart of their makers.
Murumba Pitch set the tone with their new album, Me to Me, where the emotional intro “Hamba Ngamandla” immediately draws us in, joined by songs like “Hello”, “Amanzi”, and “Halleluya”. Nigerian rising star, Fola, offers Catharsis, a project that lives up to its name, where “Robbery”, “Healer”, and “Disco”, glide with smooth, soft Afrobeats infused with emotive power. From Kenya, Maya Amolo presents The Sweetest Time, a collection baked in R&B energy and delicate songwriting. Highlights such as “Guidance”, “Last Time”, and “Miss Me” glow with sweetness and soul.
South African newcomer SiBi delivers As I Was Saying…, a short EP brimming with promise where “Runnin” and “Woza” mix Hip-Hop and soulful inflections to show off her range as singer, rapper, and producer. Iyanya returns with The Forester’s Son, where “Deep”, “Yebo!”, and “Sade” showcase a move back to his R&B roots while never straying too far from Afrobeats energy. Ghanaian act, BiQo, shines on SMOKESHOWB, where “Necessary”, “Jolie”, and “Foreign” carry funky, groovy Afrofusions enhanced by clever songwriting and sleek production. Salle, the introspective Nigerian talent, offers Only Sad People Smile, a project of heartfelt songwriting and tender emotion with standouts like “Umeya”, “Underskirt”, and “Psycho”.
EYE-CATCHING SINGLES: This next set gathers singles that deserve your ear and should catch your attention.
Siinaye and Manana collaborate on “Sonini”, a track heavy with storytelling and emotion. Phyno and Cheque bring reflective prayerful vibes on “This Moment”. Titose delivers smooth R&B with thumping drums on “When It Comes to You”.
Ronehi, Nora, and AYLØ combine forces on “July,” a smooth Alt-R&B moment with Alte power behind it, while Qing Madi continues to carve her path with emotional storytelling on “Scumbag”. Riick offers an audio therapy session with the guitar-driven “Sanity”.
Across West Africa, Emk the Genie and Darkua deliver “H20”, a fantastic duet that blends their strengths, while Kenyan newcomer, Keemlyf, enters with “Inside”, a tender Bongo Flava song with smooth vocals. Nigerian mega-producer, Ozedikus, teams with Kojo Blak for “Chances”, a mid-tempo bop with catchy flair. Iver Rivers drops “Blue Rhythm”, a groovy single filled with innovative touches. Mahvel and Tempoe provide a bright, dance-driven cut with “Baptism”, while Tolibian continues infusing Northern Nigerian flavour into his Afrobeats blend on “Latansa”.
SOUTH AFRICA TRIP: As usual, we close by heading to South Africa for their unique takes on Electronica.
Focalistic and Ch’cco bring B.O.A.T.S, where “31314 Interlude”, “Haena Wrongo”, and “Wave Ke Wave” glide with smooth grooves and their seasoned touch. Josiah De Disciple offers uThando noMoya, with soulful vocal-driven Amapiano cuts like “Amasango,” “Ikhanda”, and “Lento”.
MFR Souls return with From The Heart of Piano Side B, serving thumping and gritty Amapiano on “Moja”, “Uzom’thola”, and “Drizzle”, all built on powerful drums and gravelly vocals. We close with The Most Wanted, a project that leans into AfroHouse richness, where “Thando Lwakhe”, “Asilwi Na Bantu”, and “Uzizwa Kanjan” offer deep grooves, soulful melodies, and heartwarming vocals.
As always, these are only a small selection of what the full playlist holds. There are more gems waiting for you to discover, and more moods to sit with. Here at Afrocritik, we are not focused on the biggest names but on ensuring you do not miss out on the noteworthy offerings that may slip beneath the radar.
We hope we have put you on to some new artistes and perhaps even helped you find new favourites to carry into your September.
Send us your own recent favourites from the wave of new releases, and remember to enjoy the August monthly editorial, still fresh and packed with delights. We hope you enjoy this spotlight as much as we enjoyed curating it, and that September has brought you joy alongside the rains. Since we will now meet you every two weeks instead of weekly, we wish you the very best for the days ahead until we see you again.
Warm regards,
Yinoluwa “Yinoluu” Olowofoyeku is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative who finds expression in various media. His music can be found across all platforms, and he welcomes interaction on his social media @Yinoluu.