Cop @EmteeSA Sophomore Album Manando Today

Emtee's much awaited sophomore album Manando has finally arrived. The 20 track deep project solidifies Emtee's relentless staying power. His debut album Avery was so iconic you would be forgiven for being anxious about this one. You'll be happy to know that he delivers on this piece. 

The production is lively, rich in flavour and mad colourful. I love the fact that it's similar to Avery in atmosphere and flexibility. The only difference here is the evident growth in him as well as his ATM sound coming to the front a bit more. The first half of the album tells stories of his struggles, the people who've held him down throughout, as well as his will to keep going never dropping the ball on himself. The title track Manando is a very special one as he tells the tale of the person who the album is named after. He definitely sounds like someone we would all have loved to have in our lives. We're also loving his Pidgin influence on Bambelela where he channels his inner Nigerian rockstar in the track. 

We must say, our favourite part of the album is the bottom half. There's something uncapped about Emtee's emotions on here and the musicality also takes an incline into production that tugs at your heart. We thought he was getting into celebration mode when we got to Jets, Emazweni and Coner Store, but he then slips into a bit of a dark place as he expresses feelings of love, loneliness and sadness by the time we get to his dedication to the late Swati with his brothers Saudi, Sjava as well as Njabulo. He seals off the album in a very humble and reflective manner in No more, Take Flight and Thank You which is the kind of music you can always count on Emtee to make. It's empowering, gives you food for thought and it makes you feel included in his stories as they are relatable. 

For such an extensive project, you're pleasantly surprised that you don't grow listener fatigue as it carries on. Emtee keeps you engaged from beginning to end, taking you on a ride through his thoughts right now. He hasn't changed much either than having grown immense gratitude for how far he's come as well as recognising the support he has which is something that echoes a lot in Manando. Let's thank people like Manando for looking out for the kid when he still did, and for the insipiration of this album. Manando is not an album, it's a good luck charm. 

Get it on iTunes right now.