South Africian Artist Th&o Releases New Album
Prepare for a funk like no other. ‘Emlotheni’ is the second album from South African singer, songwriter, and producer Th&o. And he wants to show that he’s come to break boundaries.
Through this nine-track album, Th&o explores love and relationships through his dreamy melodic lens. ‘Emlotheni’ means ‘In the Ashes’. It’s mystical, just like the music inside the record. Both Funk and R&B inspired, this album displays musical strengths touching on various genres. Take the track ‘Ice On Fire’. This standout song has a hard punch to it. In addition to being the second song on the record, it is an electro-funk synth tune with an underlying steady beat that adds dimension. The vocals on the track are smooth and follow an R&B style.
The album’s lead single ‘Lonely? (Come Along) ‘ has a different vibe. Though it still keeps up with the electro-funk synths, the presentation is softer. Instead of the hard punch we can from before, it has a more ethereal sound. The track is a head-bobbing jam that makes you feel good.
Th&o And Making ‘Emlotheni’
For this second record, Th&o wanted to push the boundaries of his music. However, the making of it was extremely personal for him, stretching out to territory in himself he hadn’t thought about before. These tales of both the sweet and bitter sides of love and relationships come from a real place of emotion. That is what his musical creations embody. About the creation of the album Th&o says,
“This album is a personal challenge for me, a testament to my belief that I can achieve anything without seeking validation from anyone else. It’s a personal journey of self-discovery and self-improvement, a testament to my dedication to my craft and my desire to push my limits.”
Push the limits, he did. The emotional depth and visual artistry of what Th&o pushes to create are well displayed here in this second full album.