ExQ - Verified Milestone Album Review
Mr Putiti is back with an much anticipated project. He is in a form of his life and over the past 5 years everything he touches is turning into a hit so when he announced this album despite giving a short notice the hype instantly caught on.
Definitely rushed to get my copy and today will be sharing with you my thoughts and views on the project. Major questions are how will it fare compared to his iconic last project Tseu Tseu?! We'll know at the end of the review.
Intro: Takwegura
This is definitely one long intro! The intro track has a soulful vibe which I love, overall production is laid back. Definitely setting the tone of the album well. On the track ExQ is saying we have grown in love. He is narrating where their love started until now when they have grown in love.
1. Nepangu
On this track ExQ is asking his love why she loved him given all his flaws and sometimes backward character. He also goes on to appreciate how she uplifts, motivates, supports and loves him. Production is well done, the arrangement of the instruments is also good and somehow reminds me of Nhema.
2. Try (ft Ammara Brown)
The duo gets back together to rekindle the Bhachura remix and they still have a lot of chemistry. On this track they are saying; I Try my best for you so Love Me and I'll love you back. Production is well done, love the arrangement of the track.
3. Hwamanda
Love the Bhundu Boys Hupenyu Hwangu sample on the chorus, it sets the tone perfectly for this party track. Production is well done, it ups the tempo but maintains the laid back vibe of the previous tracks. Love the guitar work that's laces this track, definitely a gud touch to honor the greats they sampled. ExQ delivered a solid performance, you can definitely feel this is someone extremely comfortable with his abilities.
4. Munhu Ungamudii
This track gives me Killer T vibes all over, this is a style he has mastered over the years, I somehow keep expecting him to come up even as I know he is not featured. Despite that ExQ did a solid job on the track. Production is done well. On the track he us talking about you can never please people, they are always those that wish you the worst.
5. Paya Paya
On this jam Mr Putiti is serenading an older lady he is attracted to, he is telling her that age is not and issue, the fact that he has two children is not an issue he wants to give her love. Love the reggae elements in the production, overall production is again very well done. Love the Nutty O cameo just after e first chorus, so short and on point.
6. Lights Off (ft Gemma Griffiths)
Love the jazzy feel of this track, production is superbly done. The arrangement of the track is on point, love the progression, the keys and saxophone. ExQ and Gemma complemented each other very well, coolness and soulfness exemplified, you won't get a better mix of those qualities anywhere. This is one of those tracks I can let play on repeat.
7. Deeper (ft Tamy Moyo)
Mr Kurudhudhu teams up with pop Queen Tamy on this super lovely jam. It gives off some Tsvigiri vibes, production is very well done, love how the track flows so smoothly. On the track ExQ is saying "ndanyura Murudo newe, have fallen deeper in love with you". The vocals of these two artists blend well. ExQ was in his zone on the vocals and Tamy brought it, she was awesome. This track hits all the right chords in me, eish!! got teary listening to this.
8. Do Do For You
ExQ is telling his lady that he will do everything he promised he will do for her. Production is again well done, instrumental arrangement is good. On the vocals ExQ was solid.
9. Die For You (ft Nutty O)
On this track they are saying you are my only one, I will do everything for you, I can die for you. Production is well done. ExQ was solid on the vocals, Nutty O was also good but sounded like Stoneboy.
10. Killi Killi
ExQ is showing he still can rap, before majorly switching to afro he was a force to reckon with in rap circles. He was solid on his verses delivering solid bars, showing class is permanent. Love the System Tazvida sample. Production is well done.
11. Secure The Bag (ft Enzo Ishall)
As the title implies this track is urging both men and women to put more effort on getting the cash rather than other things which end up giving them headaches. Everyone wants the best things in life so secure the bag. Production is done well.
12. Irie (ft Nutty O & Buffalo Soilder)
They took inspiration from old school reggae on this one and itwas a good move, the production is solid, the arrangement of the instruments is on point. As the title implies they are saying am feeling Irie, am feeling alright. All the artists delivered on their verses.
Stream the album: Verified Milestone on YouTube
So ya that's it for this project and have to admit Mr Putiti delivered. This album absolutely fits his kurudhudhu (cool dude) persona, it's not rushing anywhere it's mellow laid back and on point. This is a testament of someone at the peak of their powers.
Production wise this project is top notch, ExQ knows how he wants his music to sound and has worked with producers who understand this sound. Instrumental arrangements are solid throughout. Despite the arrangements switching every track posses that coolness at the core which helps tie all the tracks together. Love the samples here; the Bhundu Boys Hupenyu Hwangu sample on Hwamanda was well done, fans of the super group won't be disappointed, then the System Tazvida sample on Killi Killi was also well integrated in the track. We also get tracks which I feel were inspired by his previous hits such as Nepangu which sounds like Nhema in a number of ways and the instrumental arrangements of Deeper sounds like Tsvigiri in a number of ways. Despite all that the productions are superb.
In terms of vocals ExQ was solid throughout, ozzing this irresistible coolness on all tracks. The strategically selected features also delivered. Nutty O was good, coming from his explosive project he is still in form but on his features here he sounded more like Stoneboy as compared to how he sounded on Mustard Seed. Buffalo Soilder was also good, one of his best features on the local scene. Enzo Ishall was okay, delivering his signature styled performance. Then we get to the songbirds; Ammara Brown was good, delivering her best performance in a while, on Bhachura & some of her previous tracks I complained she screams too much that it gets hard to follow and comprehend what she is singing about but on I Try she was quite composed, enjoyed her part. Gemma and Tamy however were a class above Ammara, different in their styles but they were all sublime, Gemma was super super soulful and smooth eish, Tamy brought the appropriate energy and was full of swag.
On themes this album mainly focuses on love and relationships. Out of the 13 tracks the only ones that do not fall into the above-mentioned category are; Secure The Bag, Hwamanda & Irie. The themes are all well tackled.
To conclude this is a fire body of work, have greatly enjoyed it. ExQ has delivered as expected and he has delivered in the standard many expected. In urban circles I dare you to find anyone better or as comfortable operating at this level. I highly recommend this project. When Nutty O dropped Mustard Seed it felt as if he had ran away with the best project of 2021 but not its a two horse race. My current favourite is Deeper but Lights Off is a close second.
My overall rating: 9/10
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