Digital Indigenous 07: Why Not

This is the seventh instalment in the 1000HZ series which spotlights local producers –predominantly from Malawi – working with rudimentary electronics. Initially gaining recognition with Malawian group BlackFace Family, Twiggy now debuts his first solo effort, a fusion of dancehall and Afro-pop, which has been making waves in the club scene in Blantyre, Malawi’s musical hub in the south. Twiggy sings, composes and produces on this album. The sound is characterised by sparse textures, relaxed beats, nostalgic synths and a hefty dose of vocoder. Shifting between Chichewa and English, highlights include ‘A Minute’ and ‘If Yuh Say (feat Positive Yut and Kesia)’, with ‘Can’t Cheat’, another stand out, featuring jubilant synthesizers and dynamic vocal interplay, the harmonies mimicking spoken lines in varying registers, enhancing the laid-back feel. While Why Not captures the energy of Malawi’s music scene and Twiggy’s talent, its rudimentary, club-centric sound can feel dated and less impactful outside its local, lively dancehall setting, lacking in innovation. A solid effort, but it doesn’t break new ground.