Feli Nandi - Izwi Album Review

Feli Nandi has been winning over fans with her powerful and soothing vocals eversince she came onto the music scene solo. Started noticing her when she was singing backing vocals for Mbeu & The Mhodzi Tribe, when you listen to the album The Mhodzi Diaries 1 you can't help but pick her vocals. She then left the band and went solo and she been growing stronger with each release and you could not resist her anymore. She has released a string of emotionally invoking tracks over the past two years which have endeared her with many Zimbos. 

For the past two years she has been the fastest rising female artist, she fills that gap for mature love and relationships music, a gap that was once occupied by Plaxedes Wenyika yeeeears back. 

Now after a string of lovely singles she has dropped her first album. It's well timed, the market is ready for her, corporates and a lot of Zimbos are taking notice of her, this album if executed well can catapult her to great heights. 

The album has dropped and have gotten my copy and today after some days of listening will be sharing my views and thoughts on the album. 

As usual will be doing a track by track review and then share my overall thoughts as I conclude. 

1. Ndakareva Wani

The first track on the album is a lovely afro jazz jam which has that proven and tested vibe. The steady bass line, the playful but soothing guitar and well controlled vocals. Feli on this track is saying enough is enough, in life there are many notions and advices that women are expected to follow but she is now tired, she cannot continue to suffer in silence. 

2. Izwi

The title track is arranged in a way that gets you quickly hooked, the intro is well executed. Enjoyed the guitar work on this track. The track has the right energy, overall production is done well. Feli was solid on the vocals. She was talking about the internal conflicts she faces, the voices she hears that seem to be contradicting each other, she wants the voice that adheres to the scriptures, the one that won't lead her astray. 

3. Moyo Hauudzirwe

Feli is saying you don't tell the heart what to feel, you cannot control how your heart feels. The production is done well, the guitar work is on point, it adds to the emotional vibe of the track. 

4. Mufaro

Feli goes back to that feel good lively afro jazz vibe and arrangement, the overall production is done well. On the track she is saying I have learnt not to compare myself to others, to not concentrate on what she doesn't have in order to safeguard my happiness. She is also praying that she be able to celebrate the wins of other rather than become jealous. Feli nailed the vocals, the backing vocals are also on point. 

5. Ndizvo Here

On this track Feli is asking her man if they made the right decision, whether they are on the right path, given how they started and the promises they made unto each other is this what they envisioned. The track is well produced. Feli was solid on the vocals, she brought the needed emotion to the track and the track does reach deep. 

6. Changamire

On this track Feli is crying unto the Lord, she is surrendering her life unto the Lord for he is the one that will make a way for her. The production is done well. 

7. Hossana

Feli experimented with a different sound on this track where she is singing about the plight of those ladies who have been unlucky in love, they reach a moment where they remove most artificial demands and just need a good man in their life. The production is done well, the track arrangement is also good. 

8. Ariko Here

The last track on the project is Feli asking if there is someone out there who will show her true love, she has been through a of heartbreaks and is losing hope. The track has that mellow sound that made Feli a favourite of many. The track is produced well, the arrangement offers a great platform for Feli's vocals to shine. This is the sound that has made her a darling of many. 

Stream the album : Izwi on YouTube

So that's is Feli Nandi's debut project Izwi and I have to say she delivered, she confidently matched the expectations and hype. 

The production is done well, Feli chose her producers well and they all did a good job in bringing out the best in her. The arrangements are well executed, on a number of tracks she went for a proven and well loved formula, tracks such as Ndakareva Wani and Mufaro are good examples of that. On Izwi she let it all out, the energy is spot on, it will get you dancing, incorporating the mbira was a good move, the track has that traditional vibe which is irresistible. On tracks such as Moyo Hauudzirwe and Ariko Here she delivered the sound that dominated her previous singles which many love. She was adventurous on Hossana and it paid off the track is solid. In terms of arrangement have enjoyed all of the tracks on this project. 

Feli was solid on vocals are solid, she has won over many with her vocals and she delivered in this project. On the themes is excatly what one expected from Feli, she dealt with love issues from a Mature perspective which is grounded in reality and not the pure love fantasies that flood the airwaves which makes her more relatable.  She also bares herself open on Changamire where she is surrendering herself unto the Lord and on Izwi she opens up to the internal conflict she faces. 

To wrap up the reviews I have to say this is solid project from Feli Nandi. A lot was expected given her superb singles and she has delivered. Have enjoyed this project more and more as I listen, Feli knew what she wanted to do and went on with to do it. If you're looking for some good music to add to your playlist this album will be helpful, it's currently the best project of 2022.

My overall rating : 8/10

Feel free to share your thoughts on the album in the comments section below.

Proud_Zimbo