A few seconds after I heard AMANZI for the first time, I was instantly drawn by the slight, gentle roughness in her voice. The Brighton-born artist with South African heritage draws from gospel, blues, and jazz, weaving her life experiences into a rich and soulful sound.
Today's spotlight is on her outstanding debut self-titled 3-track EP. "Give Us Some Time" reflects the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, a period that pushed AMANZI to confront both her own challenges and those of the people around her. “I wrote it during a time when everyone seemed to be struggling,” she shares. “I felt stuck, surrounded by this overwhelming heaviness and watching others feel the same. This song is about the weight we all carried.” It is the song's honesty and unapologetic rawness that makes it so powerful, relatable, and emotional.
A great example of how transcendent music can be, especially when artists allow themselves to be completely vulnerable. Every time I play the song, I feel goosebumps, and while I've never had the pleasure of meeting AMANZI in person, I feel I got to know her somehow.
An artist we should all keep an eye on this year.
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