Young Kasi Gives Listeners ‘Discount’

Young and upcoming with a touch of potential. These are the words that come to mind when listening to the 18-track ‘Discount’ by trio Young Kasi.

Listening to the first four tracks, one immediately discovers that just like the visuals on the album cover, the finishing and mixing is quite substandard and more time could have been spent on the mastering.

Getting to track eight ‘Tuhumutu’, and realising that one is not even half way through the album, one cannot help but sigh and not out of excitement. You cannot help but wonder whether there was any actual planning regarding the type of sound they were trying to go for. If it is in fact kwaito, it’s more of a repeat of what has done before.

For track nine ‘!Namsaro’, the trio teamed up with industry unknown Deco to give listeners just another kwaitorised song that can be considered a love song. It is pleasant to hear that most of the tracks are somewhat upbeat and I would advise the trio go this route.

Track 14 ‘Never Go Down’ seems to be that song with the message that most artists make it a point to include on their albums. You know the type about working hard and never giving up.

Just when you think the album has reached its peak with track 15 ‘Kandina’, there are three more tracks that cement the point that 18 tracks are sometimes too many for a single album.

As much as vocal ability is not a must for kwaito music, if the trio was going to take a shot at it, a bit more effort would have been appreciated

On the third and second last tracks, the trio again teams up with industry unknowns Dorcas and Dingalo to say their thank yous on ‘Ndapandula’, and give more advice in ‘Longa Neitulemo’. The last track ‘Ndeshimana’, which translates to ‘I have finished it’, signals some relief not because it is the best track but because it is the end to a long, dragging album.

Overall, going back to the drawing board and investing more time and creativity into their music will do Young Kasi well. As for this one, they can consider it a learning experience to unlocking their potential.

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