Hearty, raw, and emotive are some of the few out of the many superlatives that could best describe South African singer-songwriter Vusi Nova. Having already etched his name not only in plaques but also in the timelines of those he has touched with his voice since debuting with Walk Into Light, the New Brighton-born crooner recently released a seven-song extended play titled Here to Stay, a pint-sized collection of tributes to himself, to his love interest and to God.
Here to Stay, spanning a minute shy of half an hour in playback time, the Gqerberha powerhouse interprets R&B sonics with appreciable touches of afropop elements and gospel-esque influences, with the latter most dovetailing well with Nova’s guttural vocal performances. Set over an organic baseline of acoustic guitars, simplistic piano loops, and the undulating tempo of harmonies and melodies rising and falling with pent-up tension and the subsequent release of built-up pressure, Here to Stay thrives on production values that sandwich the EP between the sweet spot of a live production’s naturalness and the nigh-perfect polish a body of work is rewarded with after countless mixes.
Vusi Nova | SUPPLIED
The thematic and subject scope of Vusi’s EP follows the name of the album, which acts as a true north for its artistic direction and songwriting. Everything about the project reflects longevity and persistence. Whether the subject of discussion is Vusi stunting on naysayers who thought he would be a flash in the pan as heard on the titular opening song, or him expressing his undying love for his lover on “Thandeka” or “Ndiphulaphule”, the external and internal hemispheres of the album interplay to give life to Vusi’s reflections on what it means to stay.
Vusi explores altruistic moral values in Here to Stay, giving gratitude to God for His grace and mercy on “Ndiyabulela” and expressing just as much thankfulness to his lover on “Ndikukhethile”. What’s interesting about the album is its ability to speak honestly about the hard times and acknowledging love given during those periods without exactly romanticising struggle, love and even toxicity.
Vusi Nova | SUPPLIED
On “Ndicela Ixesha”, for instance, Vusi digs deep and shares his inner wounds and the anxiety that comes with anticipating heartbreak during a relationship—these thoughts are shared with complete candour, with him admitting that he is hurt and asking for patience so that he doesn’t hurt her because of unresolved trauma. Such sentiments—selfless love and consideration—are the underpinnings of the album, framing the narratives and forcing all the chaos and the beauty to occupy a singular space.
With a septette of songs, the Mzansi songbird manages to translate the essence of what it means to remain when things get tough and to stay faithful. Whether the picture is romantic, personal, or spiritual, Here to Stay lives up to its name as Vusi’s attempt to understand and document the meaning of what it is to not fall away.
Preview Here to Stay below:
