Janet Manyowa Sounds Of Victory EP Review

Janet has been on the up trajectory since the moment she entered the music scene. She has opened and pushed gospel music into a different dimension. She is proving gospel music doesn't have to sound the same as the older classic tracks but can be modern, with lots of swag and still be as powerful. 

She has more chart topping hits and awards than any other gospel artist since she entered the music scene. This is both a testament to her immense talent and also one super solid and innovative team that is behind her fronted by her husband. That team is special and daring, they have pushed Janet Manyowa the brand in ways that many artists only dream off, she is selling out venues, getting lots of streams, topping charts on a regular basis. Previously to sell of venues gospel artists had to team up but Janet alone can attract the similar amount of people as compared to big secular artists... That is significant. 

Was fortunate and honoured to have been invited to the launch of this EP. It was also my first time seeing Janet perform live and was impressed, her performance is full of energy and swag, perfectly befitting her image and she can also minister powerfully. Enjoyed myself at the launch, was also gifted a copy of the album... Now have all her three projects. Today will be sharing with you my thoughts and views on the EP. Now going into this EP already knew 3 of the 6 tracks, those three had already at some point in 2020 reached top spot on the gospel charts so much I can say about the project is already clear to many. 

As usual will be doing a track by track review. 

1 Many Blessings 

This is one of the two tracks we did not know going into the project. Its the most uptempo track on the project. On this track Janet is thanking the Lord for the many blessings that she has seen in her life, she is marveling in His faithfulness, His favour upon her life. Production is done well, the track is arranged well. The track also came with some superb visuals, very fitting of the energy of the track. 

2 Tariro

This track had 2020 in mind, this year has been challenging and many needed reminding that do not lose hope for the Lord is with you. Production is done well, arrangement of both the vocals and instruments is well done. The track however has a familiar feel, it follows a sound that Janet has been doing for a couple of tracks now. 

3 Ngatimukudzei Mwari

Janet decides to do a rendition of one of her favourite hymns and she did quite a good job. Hymns are timeless and one needs to be certain before doing a rendition because if you mess it up many will come for you, Janet I believe did justice to the hymn. Production is done well. 

4 Makafanira

This is one beautiful worship song, you know of those not so slow worship tracks but that one which you sing with a smile on your face. Definitely one of my favourite tracks on the EP, it ticks a the boxes; production is top notch, instrumental arrangement is solid, lead & backing vocals are spot on, theme & songwriting is spot on. Love how she translated the song into the 3 main languages of Zim. It's a track about exalting, telling the Lord he deserves to be worshipped and praised. 

5 Oh Mwari

Janet continued to exalt the Lord on this track. As on all the other tracks production is spot on, arrangement of the track is on point on both vocals and instruments. Janet was also on par on the vocals. 

6 Ndimi

Was there at the launch of this single in 2019, enjoyed the track and visuals but when she performed it on the launch of this EP it felt as a new song, I got a deeper connection and understanding of the track. Its produced very well, arranged very well and has already toppled the charts, already has more than a million streams on YouTube...its already a very successful track. Despite the success it already has on the 13th I got to deeply connect with the song and I felt its power, He is God alone, He is and He will be, he gives strength and gives light where there is darkness, because He is God, we are victorious. 

7 Many Blessings (Extended Version) 

This is the extended version of the first track. All things that are good on that track carry on onto this track 

So ya that's it for the Sounds of Victory EP and it's a lovely project. Its exactly what Janet described it at the launch "what we have done so far", most of the tracks had already been released for some time and just two new tracks. 

Production is solid, this is one aspect Janet and her team never compromise, it's high standard and has been since the beginning. Arrangements of the tracks is also done well; Tariro is a bit familiar but still sounds good, Ngatimukudzei definitely had to feel familiar so as to retain the hymns magic.

On the tracks themes Janet gives hope on Tariro, she exalts the Lord on Ndimi, Oh Mwari & Makafanira, she invites others to give glory on Ngatimukudzei and she is grateful on Many Blessings. 

Vocals are solid throughout, Janet was good on the lead vocals, by now many already know how talented she is vocally. The backing vocals were superb, during the live launch they were even better. 

To conclude this is a beautiful EP, Janet continues to push the boundaries on how modern gospel should sound like. I love how her team continues to push her, that ensures she does not relax but aspires to be better than her previous offering. Much respect also goes to her team for being innovative and showing gospel music can be more that previously thought. I definitely recommend this EP. 

My overall rating: 8/10

Feel free to share with me your thoughts on the EP. 

Proud_Zimbo