MUSIC
REVIEWS
24 October 2023
Written by Don-Jitsu
MOONGA K. - GARDEN ALBUM REVIEW
On the 29th of September, MOONGA K. released his much anticipated album, GARDEN, a 8 track project that is a vibrant package of sounds and imagery. The 8 track project features guest appearances by Nkosilathi and Yolophonik, that clocks in under 30 minutes.
Check out the review breakdown.
A blend of rock, nostalgic funk, pop, R&B and theatrical elements. Relayed by live acoustic sounds on majority of the project.
THE SOUND
An epic entrance of a fearless, spirited song. Stomps of a revolution with an electric pulse, signifying that something big is coming. After the amped up, sports stadium of an anthem section reaches a close, MOONGA K. switches from war ready to sincerity with a poetic ending and an emotional expression of gratitude for the gift of music. The GARDEN opens with blockbuster energy and vulnerability.
THE INTRODUCTION
TRACK 1 : the revolution
THE IMAGERY & MOOD
With the up beat funk/pop sonics, you get a sense of carefree living. Songs like feels like, I'm gonna make it, ritual and wave (that's me) are perfect testaments of this unapologetic expressions of free spirited living and aspirations. A different mood is projected in tracks like lonely forever, be mine and wallflower, in these we find more emotional notes of loneliness, love and need for escape. With such moods we get a universal tale of life, the experiencing of highs and lows but written in MOONGA's handwriting.
In style and on a high note, that's how the GARDEN reaches it's finale. MOONGA tries to convince his love interest that they should take his hand and set sail with him, to ride the waves of life together. The pop/funk tune gives off a " let's hit the dance floor and have a good time " sensation. In that light, also setting off a celebration of sorts as MOONGA belts out his vocals with passion. wave (that's me) is a fiesta of a curtain call and MOONGA K. waves with a hint of a return.
THE OUTRO
From a sonics stand point, songs like feels like and i'm gonna make it have a much more theatrical sound. A " burst out in song " approach which separates them from the rest of the album's track listing. Other than that, the project is really solid.
THE LEAKS
1. the revolution
4. lonely forever
5. be mine (Feat. Nkosilathi)
6. wallflower
THE GEMS
RATING
Sound 4/5
​
Narrative 4/5
​
Features 4/5
​
Replay value 4/5
​
Recommendation value 4/5
​
4.0
average rating out of 5
Follow MOONGA K. on:
Listen to: GARDEN
​
By MOONGA K.
GARDEN is OUT NOW on ALL DSP's. If you haven't heard it yet, go check it out.
​
