Overall rating: 9.18
1. Intro
2. Midnight Train: 9.68
Beats and acoustics: 10
Songwriting and message: 9
Voice: 9.8
Aesthetic blend: 9.9
3. Insecure: 9.2
Beats and acoustics: 9.5
Songwriting and message: 9.3
Voice: 9
Aesthetic blend: 9
4. Feel My Love: 8.2
Beats and acoustics: 7.8
Songwriting and message: 8
Voice: 8
Aesthetic blend: 9
5. Brighter Days: 8.95
Beats and acoustics: 9
Songwriting and message: 9
Voice: 9
Aesthetic blend: 8.8
6. Nenda Lote: 9.27
Beats and acoustics: 9.4
Songwriting and message: __
Voice: 9.1
Aesthetic blend: 9.3
7. Suzanna: 9.7
Beats and acoustics: 9.8
Songwriting and message: 10
Voice: 9
Aesthetic blend: 10
8 Set Me Free (interlude)
9. My Everything: 9.2
Beats and acoustics: 9
Songwriting and message: 9.2
Voice: 9.3
Aesthetic blend: 9.3
10. Wake Up: 9.22
Beats and acoustics: 9.6
Songwriting and message: 9
Voice: 9
Aesthetic blend: 9.3
11 Sober: 9.1
Beats and acoustics: 9.1
Songwriting and message: 9.2
Voice: 8.8
Aesthetic blend: 9.3
12. Rhumba Japani: 9.25
Beats and acoustics: 9.3
Songwriting and message: 9
Voice: 9.1
Aesthetic blend: 9.6
13. Disco Matanga: 9.17
Beats and acoustics 8.8
Songwriting and message: __
Voice: 9.4
Aesthetic blend: 9.3
The Sound of the Sun (Sauti Sol) released their fifth studio album, returning to the much beloved acoustic sound they had abandoned on their fourth album, “African Sauce”. The album, named “Midnight Train” to symbolize the boys’ never ending journey in music, opens with an acoustic riff in which they encourage the listener to do what makes them happy, just like they are doing by making music. And if Sauti Sol is what makes you happy, then go ahead and listen, never minding what other people think.
I particularly enjoyed the first two tracks, “Midnight Train” and “Insecure”, and of course, the lead single, “Suzanna”, all of which were packed with loads of relatable and heart-warming messages like dealing with self-love and perseverance, on top of some top notch acoustic arrangements.
Sauti Sol also added interesting collabos with American Soul and R&B legend, India Arie on “My Everything”, Reggae sensation, Mortimer on “Wake Up” and South African powerhouse, Sho Madjozi on “Disco Matanga” plus wonderful songwriting by Bensoul on “My Everything” and Nviiri the Storyteller on “Suzanna”. It is said that you have the most fun when in the presence of someone having fun and Sauti Sol’s playful interlude shows just how much fun they have with each other while making music.
All in all, Midnight Train is a really beautiful project with amazing acoustic arrangements, strong vocal play, fantastic collabos and beautiful songwriting. I’m genuinely impressed. But then again, what can I say, this is Sauti Sol after all.
poetrymaniac 