Album Review: Byran K - Evolution K
Bryan K has finally released a follow up to the superb debut album Nyaya Dzerudo. Over the past two years his sound has been evolving as he released tracks such as Forever, Heavy Machine & My Love so it'll be quite interesting to see which sound he goes with on this project. To make tings more interesting he went on to name the album Evolution K which probably signals a change in something!!
Browsing through the track-list I found that there are a couple of tracks that I already knew, those that were released prior to the album launch date. However the good thing is that more than 50% of the tracks are new so it will not feel like a collection of singles like what other albums do. Now lets get into the album and see what kind of Evolution is this?? and how does it stake against the superb Nyaya Dzerudo??.
Browsing through the track-list I found that there are a couple of tracks that I already knew, those that were released prior to the album launch date. However the good thing is that more than 50% of the tracks are new so it will not feel like a collection of singles like what other albums do. Now lets get into the album and see what kind of Evolution is this?? and how does it stake against the superb Nyaya Dzerudo??.
Th album contains 13 tracks and as usual will be doing a track by track review of the album.
1. Chengetanai
The album starts with a powerful interlude where Bryan K is talking about Love & Unity. He is urging fellow Zimbos to be there for each other, we have to help and lift each other up. The message is delivered over quite some lovely acoustic guitar work.
2. Mazvinzwa Here?
He follows up with another socially conscious jam where he is urging the fellow Zimbo men to be responsible, nurturing and respectful to their partners and families. The father should lead the family with love and understanding whilst showing the kids how one can live a good life by doing honest work. The message and advice is delivered over an afro fusion instrumental which is sounding good. Bryan K was also commendable on the vocals.
3. Sweety Wangu
On this track he switches the theme to love, a theme he is well vested and excels in. The track has this lovely old skool vibe about it which puts you into a feel good mode. The instrumental arrangement is done well, love both the bass and lead guitar work on this track. Here Bryan is telling his other half that she is the only one for him. His vocals perfectly fit this type of sound and he shines throughout the track. This is one of those lovely jams which you enjoy for years to come.
4. Ndoita Sei?
I knew this song already, well afro-beat version but he dropped that for this stripped down soulful version and it sounds good. On this track Bryan K has found a lady he likes at a party and doesn't know what to do to win her attention, he has fallen head over heels for her and his mind is failing to function properly. The production is done well, the guitar is more prominent pronounced and helps serenade you. Choosing between the two versions i'm split at the moment, good thing is I can enjoy the same song during different moods.
5. Chiuya
On this track Bryan K is saying to the lady that has taken his heart that is now time for her to enter into his life. He is asking her to come closer and tell him how she wants to be loved and he will do just that, he is willing to show his love to the lady. The production is done well, the track is stripped down to a acoustic level. Bryan K delivered a lovely performance on the vocals.
6. Nanana
On this track Bryan conjures his inner neo-soul side, delivering a song that gives a serious feel good nostalgic vibe. Listening to this track I was reminded of 2Face's classic African Queen. The production is also done superbly well, the instrumental arrangement is done very well, love the bass line it reminds me of Tempted To Touch by Beres Hammond & Cutty Ranks. On this track Bryan K is declaring his undying love to his partner. Play this song for your woman and you will see her blush and smile like never before. Its a lovely love song.
7. Kire
He switches it up on this track to a bouncy old skool dance vibe which sound very good, one of those instrumentals that get your head bumping from the onset. The overall production is done very well, despite coming from a more soulful jam this uptempo jam does not feel out of place. This track is a dedication to Kirezenzia a lady who has taken Byran's attention, he wants to get to know her and also have a good time with her. Its a very lovely playful jam, which you can dance to with your partner.
8. Ndopenga feat Dobba Don
This is one of the oldest if not the oldest track on the album. Unlike Ndoita Sei the track was not altered in any way, this is the version that was released last year. Did a review of the track when it was released, you can read the review here : Ndopenga Track Review
9. Kumusha
On this track he dives into a topic that will have many thinking deep about their lives. For many people there is a period whereby nothing you try works, everything you touch seems to fail, you will feel as if your cursed. Bryan K is saying go back to the beginning and make good those things you have strayed away from. Your current misfortunes may be due to that you have now neglected your parents, you no-longer have love in you, you have become more selfish so you must go back home and take a deep look at your life then correct where you went wrong. The production is done very well, the instrumental perfectly captures the sort of scary theme, its a fusion of traditional and some hard rock.
10. Pole Pole
This single was a released a few weeks prior to the album launch. The track is lovely, its on a afro tip laced with some superb guitar work. The instrumental arrangement is done very well, and gives Bryan K's vocals a solid platform to shine on. Pole Pole is chilled dance song, its meant for those slow dance, slow wine moments, the title itself translates to slowly slowly with no hustle. In overall this is well done song which I do not mind listening to over and over again.
11. Chimbomirai
Bryan K on this track shows he he is willing to expand and experiment with his sound. This track is a fusion of a lot of elements and vibes which all come together and create one superb jam. Love the instrumental, the producer of this jam did a superb jam, applause to him, WOW, WOW. Bryan K also was up to the task on the vocals, he delivered a super performance which is at par with the superb instrumental.
12. Ehuhwe
On this interlude Bryan K's is telling every Zimbo telling them not to despair, do not cry, it shall be well. They opted for a minimal structure which allows Bryan K to motivate and uplift you with his powerful and lovely vocals all laced with an equally impressive bass progression.
13. Sound Of Summer
On the bonus track Bryan K teams up with Stavo to give you a track that should be on your summer playlist. This is one of those track that you play when you go to the lake for a good time. The production is done well, love the dreamy kind of vibe the track has, the guitar work is just lovely. Bryan K was also at par on the vocals delivered a relaxed performance which blends perfectly with the instrumental. The track is all about celebrating life, enjoying life. Its seals the album with a feel good vibe.
1. Chengetanai
The album starts with a powerful interlude where Bryan K is talking about Love & Unity. He is urging fellow Zimbos to be there for each other, we have to help and lift each other up. The message is delivered over quite some lovely acoustic guitar work.
2. Mazvinzwa Here?
He follows up with another socially conscious jam where he is urging the fellow Zimbo men to be responsible, nurturing and respectful to their partners and families. The father should lead the family with love and understanding whilst showing the kids how one can live a good life by doing honest work. The message and advice is delivered over an afro fusion instrumental which is sounding good. Bryan K was also commendable on the vocals.
3. Sweety Wangu
On this track he switches the theme to love, a theme he is well vested and excels in. The track has this lovely old skool vibe about it which puts you into a feel good mode. The instrumental arrangement is done well, love both the bass and lead guitar work on this track. Here Bryan is telling his other half that she is the only one for him. His vocals perfectly fit this type of sound and he shines throughout the track. This is one of those lovely jams which you enjoy for years to come.
4. Ndoita Sei?
I knew this song already, well afro-beat version but he dropped that for this stripped down soulful version and it sounds good. On this track Bryan K has found a lady he likes at a party and doesn't know what to do to win her attention, he has fallen head over heels for her and his mind is failing to function properly. The production is done well, the guitar is more prominent pronounced and helps serenade you. Choosing between the two versions i'm split at the moment, good thing is I can enjoy the same song during different moods.
5. Chiuya
On this track Bryan K is saying to the lady that has taken his heart that is now time for her to enter into his life. He is asking her to come closer and tell him how she wants to be loved and he will do just that, he is willing to show his love to the lady. The production is done well, the track is stripped down to a acoustic level. Bryan K delivered a lovely performance on the vocals.
6. Nanana
On this track Bryan conjures his inner neo-soul side, delivering a song that gives a serious feel good nostalgic vibe. Listening to this track I was reminded of 2Face's classic African Queen. The production is also done superbly well, the instrumental arrangement is done very well, love the bass line it reminds me of Tempted To Touch by Beres Hammond & Cutty Ranks. On this track Bryan K is declaring his undying love to his partner. Play this song for your woman and you will see her blush and smile like never before. Its a lovely love song.
7. Kire
He switches it up on this track to a bouncy old skool dance vibe which sound very good, one of those instrumentals that get your head bumping from the onset. The overall production is done very well, despite coming from a more soulful jam this uptempo jam does not feel out of place. This track is a dedication to Kirezenzia a lady who has taken Byran's attention, he wants to get to know her and also have a good time with her. Its a very lovely playful jam, which you can dance to with your partner.
8. Ndopenga feat Dobba Don
This is one of the oldest if not the oldest track on the album. Unlike Ndoita Sei the track was not altered in any way, this is the version that was released last year. Did a review of the track when it was released, you can read the review here : Ndopenga Track Review
9. Kumusha
On this track he dives into a topic that will have many thinking deep about their lives. For many people there is a period whereby nothing you try works, everything you touch seems to fail, you will feel as if your cursed. Bryan K is saying go back to the beginning and make good those things you have strayed away from. Your current misfortunes may be due to that you have now neglected your parents, you no-longer have love in you, you have become more selfish so you must go back home and take a deep look at your life then correct where you went wrong. The production is done very well, the instrumental perfectly captures the sort of scary theme, its a fusion of traditional and some hard rock.
10. Pole Pole
This single was a released a few weeks prior to the album launch. The track is lovely, its on a afro tip laced with some superb guitar work. The instrumental arrangement is done very well, and gives Bryan K's vocals a solid platform to shine on. Pole Pole is chilled dance song, its meant for those slow dance, slow wine moments, the title itself translates to slowly slowly with no hustle. In overall this is well done song which I do not mind listening to over and over again.
11. Chimbomirai
Bryan K on this track shows he he is willing to expand and experiment with his sound. This track is a fusion of a lot of elements and vibes which all come together and create one superb jam. Love the instrumental, the producer of this jam did a superb jam, applause to him, WOW, WOW. Bryan K also was up to the task on the vocals, he delivered a super performance which is at par with the superb instrumental.
12. Ehuhwe
On this interlude Bryan K's is telling every Zimbo telling them not to despair, do not cry, it shall be well. They opted for a minimal structure which allows Bryan K to motivate and uplift you with his powerful and lovely vocals all laced with an equally impressive bass progression.
13. Sound Of Summer
On the bonus track Bryan K teams up with Stavo to give you a track that should be on your summer playlist. This is one of those track that you play when you go to the lake for a good time. The production is done well, love the dreamy kind of vibe the track has, the guitar work is just lovely. Bryan K was also at par on the vocals delivered a relaxed performance which blends perfectly with the instrumental. The track is all about celebrating life, enjoying life. Its seals the album with a feel good vibe.
Stream the album: Evolution K on Spotify
So ya that's it for Bryan K's second album. I have enjoyed listening to the this album quite a lot, i'm very happy that he has kept the soulfulness in his music, I was scared he was gonna remove that from his music. The album in overall makes you feel good but not in a cheesy way. The production is done superbly well, love the arrangement of both the vocals and instrumentals on all the tracks.
Now to the question of how much has Bryan K evolved; he has evolved quite a lot, gladly all in the right ways. Firstly his previous album was all about love, and on this album he included some socially conscious themes on tracks such as Ehuhwe, Chengetanai & Mazwinzwa Here?, the first two are interludes but regardless its a new side of him that was not evident o his previous project.
The second thing is how his choice of instruments/sounds and arrangement has expanded. His previous project was very good but compared to this new project you can see how limited it was. Take my favourite instrumental on this album from the track Chimbomirai, its very far from the instrumentals from his past work but keeps the identity, you still can easily hear kuti its a Bryan K's jam. Tracks such as Pole Pole, Ndopenga are not tracks you would have predicted after listening to Nyaya Dzerudo, they all highlight the evolution in his sound.
Now like I said he evolved in the right ways, he did not change his singing style, he has maintained his unique singing style, with the usual "Kiribas" and screams in the right areas. His vocals have always been powerful and they remain so on this project. He has improved when it comes to vocal control but its more of a refinement that a complete change.
Lastly the album is compact, all the 13 tracks feel as if they deserved to be on the album, I'm not a a fan of filler tracks that are only put on the record to buff up the track-list. When an album is straight to the point like this one it makes for a more fulfilling listening experience.
In conclusion this is s worthy follow up to Nyaya Dzerudo, its a more compact album. On the last album, half of the album was so good that you could easily forget the other cheesy half and on this album you can press play and let the whole album play. The production like I said earlier is done very well, the themes are also well done and Bryan K delivered delivered a solid performance throughout the project. This Evolution works. I definitely recommend the album and it's one of the better albums I have listened to this year.
My Overall Rating: 7/10
Now to the question of how much has Bryan K evolved; he has evolved quite a lot, gladly all in the right ways. Firstly his previous album was all about love, and on this album he included some socially conscious themes on tracks such as Ehuhwe, Chengetanai & Mazwinzwa Here?, the first two are interludes but regardless its a new side of him that was not evident o his previous project.
The second thing is how his choice of instruments/sounds and arrangement has expanded. His previous project was very good but compared to this new project you can see how limited it was. Take my favourite instrumental on this album from the track Chimbomirai, its very far from the instrumentals from his past work but keeps the identity, you still can easily hear kuti its a Bryan K's jam. Tracks such as Pole Pole, Ndopenga are not tracks you would have predicted after listening to Nyaya Dzerudo, they all highlight the evolution in his sound.
Now like I said he evolved in the right ways, he did not change his singing style, he has maintained his unique singing style, with the usual "Kiribas" and screams in the right areas. His vocals have always been powerful and they remain so on this project. He has improved when it comes to vocal control but its more of a refinement that a complete change.
Lastly the album is compact, all the 13 tracks feel as if they deserved to be on the album, I'm not a a fan of filler tracks that are only put on the record to buff up the track-list. When an album is straight to the point like this one it makes for a more fulfilling listening experience.
In conclusion this is s worthy follow up to Nyaya Dzerudo, its a more compact album. On the last album, half of the album was so good that you could easily forget the other cheesy half and on this album you can press play and let the whole album play. The production like I said earlier is done very well, the themes are also well done and Bryan K delivered delivered a solid performance throughout the project. This Evolution works. I definitely recommend the album and it's one of the better albums I have listened to this year.
My Overall Rating: 7/10
What are your thought on the album???
Proud_Zimbo
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