Cape Verde is really delivering the jams right now, and this episode features two artists that call the volcanic-island country home.
The first is Alberto Koenig and his relaxing coastal R&B sound better known as “Kriol Soul,” which is a blend of kriol-language music of West Africa with soul fusion from the Caribbean and Louisiana. Koenig’s track “Baxu Luz” translates to “under the low light” in Cape Verdean Creole — perfect conditions for romance (unless you’re hanging out in the room with a ghost).
Speaking of spectres, next up is Tibau Tavares, whose album 7 Músicas delivers melancholic blues melodies anchored by acoustic guitar. The song “Txoro Di Maio” stems from childhood memories of accompanying his mother to comfort those who recently lost loved ones.
Staying on the African coast, we move southwest to the island nation of São Tomé & Príncipe, home of Africa Negra. The group’s music embodies the culture of “levy levy,” which means “take it easy” in the Portuguese-based Creole language. Listening to them feels like you’re in the Super Mario Sunshine universe, where everything is wonderful and almost whimsical.
Out of Nairobi, Afropunk band Crystal Axis (better known as the Godfathers of Kenyan Punk) emerged from a nearly decade-long hiatus with new single “Leopold.” The track chronicles the tyranny of King Leopold II of Belgium against the Congo Free State during the 1800s and the lives that were lost during his reign.
The spooky cherry on top of a ghoulish sundae comes from Her’s, a dream-pop duo out of Norway and England who formed in 2015, released their debut album two years later and tragically died in a car accident while on a 2019 tour of the United States.
One of their most notable tracks, “What Once Was,” follows a guy having relationship troubles and wishing for things to go back when everything was new. In the final lyrics, lead singer Stephen Fitzpatrick says he’s still “hanging on, waiting for my love” — a little uncanny given his fate.
Happy (and scary) tasting!
Episode playlist
- Alberto Koenig, "Baxu Luz (feat. Nessa Onda)"
- Sophie May, "Touch Me"
- Castlebeat, "Moonlight"
- Africa Negra, "Cardoso Fada Zom"
- Crystal Axis, "Leopold"
- Chrissy, "Nothing Hurts"
- sondaeblu, "pressure."
- Joki & MaWhoo, "Somandla"
- Viratempo, "SOLAR"
- Tibau Tavares, "Txoro Di Maio"
- Her"s, "What Once Was"
- Takkak Takkak, "Abu"
- TR/ST, "Candy Walls"
- Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers, "El campeón (Bienes funerarios)"
- Mind Enterprises, "Discough"
