Holy Ten - Energy Album Review

Holy Ten came and injected the much needed energy and vibe for local Hip Hop. Since then he has been a major player for the genre.

His last album Risky Life was not that impressive, his best work has so far has came from singles. Will that change with this album?? This time there is no hype to push the album as what helped the last album, how will he fare??!!

This album was supposed to have been released a few months back but he pushed the release citing he was not satisfied by the end product and felt it needed more work. The album has finally dropped and have gotten my copy and today will be sharing my views and thoughts on the project.

As usual will be doing a track by track review and then share my overall thoughts on the album.

1. It's Never Easy

Ten on this track is saying it's never easy having peace in your mind when you are running around trying to make progress in life. The production is done quite well, the track is well arranged. Holy delivered his signature performance. 

2. Kudhara Kwangu

As the track implies on this track Holy is talking about his past, how life was easy before he blew up. He is also talking about how he is fed up with the corporates, how they reward those with controversy more, he also goes on to express his frustration of how the media can peddle fake stories, how bloggers and socialites can create and run with a fake story and many will buy their stories. The production is okay, he returned to the keyboard led sound that made him popular. 

3. Too Scared (ft Kimberly Richard) 

The first feature of the album talks about when one is scared to point out the wrongs in a relationship, when one acts as all is well when it's not. The tracks is arranged quite well, the hook is good, Ten was okay on the verses. 

4. Bhachi reDior

On this track Ten is talking about his big dreams, and is also celebrating his success. The production is okay, the arrangement is again okay. 

5. Ka This Ka That

Holy is serenading a lady saying I have that thing, that magic. The production is okay. 

6. Husiku Hurefu (ft Nutty O)

This is probably the track that will get the attention of many mainly because of the Nutty O inclusion. On the first verse you feel as if he is repeating what he said on Bhachi ReDior. Holy delivered an average performance in his verses. Nutty O was solid on the hook. Production is okay. 

7. Ndo Recover (ft Crooger) 

On this track they are saying despite how hard it will get they will recover. Its a never say die mantra from Holy and Crooger. The production is done well, the track is arranged well. The hook is however the best part of this jam, especially that second verse where the crowd backs. The verses are not up to par, the hook carries this track and its probably the best track on the album. 

8. Zvaifaya

Holy reverts to that keyboard led arrangement which made him. The production is done well, the track is arranged quite well also. On this track he is saying things were okay between us before but recently I have been feeling low, things are not as smooth as before. 

9. The Point Iripano

This is a playful jam from Holy Ten, reminds me of that track featuring Anita Jackson from his last album, the tracks have a similar feeling. The track is produced well, the arrangement is good for the first half of the track, am not so sure of the changes in the last half of the track. 

10. Ndiri Ndega (ft Feli Nandi) 

On this track they are asking for the Lords protection as they cannot do it alone. The track is more like a Feli Nandi track, Holy seems as the one featuring. 

Stream the album: Energy

So ya that's it for this project and it feels too rushed, Holy needs to take his time when making an album, he has the talent and ability, he just need to pace himself. 

Production wise the album is not up to par, he could have done better to deliver a sonically better project. The track arrangements are quite good, the choice of beats are also good, it's only when you look at the project as a whole when it falls apart. 

This style of very short tracks is not doing it anymore, the track ends before you get into the groove. He has to leave that. It has worked for his singles but on this album it's not working. 

In terms of the vocals Holy Ten delivered his signature style. Hip Hop is about the Bars and this projects is greatly lacking in that department, Bhachi reDior has relatively better bars but in overall was not impressed in that department. This is quite disappointing given how he is quite good at the bars on his many singles.

To wrap up this review this is another lacklustre project from Holy Ten. There is no cohesiveness among the tracks, they feel like they were randomly thrown in together. His single Gamu Part 1 is better than this whole project, and that's telling. Judging by his singles it's clear he can actually do better but somehow he seems to rush his albums. My recommendation is, continue listening to his singles and skip this project, you may find one or two tracks you may enjoy but the singles are way better. 

My Overall Rating: 5.5/10

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

Proud_Zimbo