CRUIZE REVIEW: PERSON EP BY KYLE SIMBWA

Kyle Simbwa is an eccentric Ugandan artiste who began his career early last year with the release of his first single, #2. He built on that momentum with release of his second single, Hooked which he released in September last year. Leading to this point, Kyle had built enough hype for his debut project which fans had started to expect by this point.

And definitely Kyle understood the assignment and put his heart and mind into the project which he released on March 10th this year.

And obviously us as the cruize mag listened to the project and think the time is right to give it a review.

The project begins with the song Person which is an ode to the title of the project. Its a smooth take on RnB where he sings about a girl he loves and wants to love him back. He bellows that the girl loves materialistic life but he hints that he's placing a bet and hopes she'll come through for him. It concludes with a poem narrated by who we think is Marvel Nimurungi where she speaks about topics like finding oneself and trust in God despite the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Emphasizing that life is meant to be lived not to coast through.

We head into the next track which is the pre released single, #2. Here he sings about his journey through the music industry, the challenges he faced and his desire to make it in the industry and about the chip he has on his shoulder. And his vulnerability.

Kyle croons about his need for love despite his efforts to try and get a piece of the apple pie.

The production and delivery on this track is just spectacular with additional writing by gospel gem, Anna Makula. This a gem on this project.

The next track titled, Thandi will make you feel like your at an after party in Brooklyn in the lates 80s. Its a nice groovy track with elements of soul, jazz and early pop almost a Marvin Gaye interpolation. Here Kyle sings about his desire to save this girl from her past toxic relationship saying he doesn't kiss and tell and he knows that she has been through hell.

He says that if he takes her in he'll heal and show her how love is supposed to feel.

Its such a beautiful song to lip sync for your better half in the car late at night.

The next track, Baby Cakes, is assisted by fellow Ugandan feel good artiste, Sente. This is one of those party songs that just have you doing a jiggy bop. The pair ask this girl for a dance and beg her not to take their love lightly as Kyle wants to own our mystery lady.

Sente's feature was just the necessary heat this record needed elevating it with those bad boy vibes just like Dennis Rodman to Micheal Jordan. These boys were in sync!

The next single, Hooked, which so far is the standout single from this project is also a pre released one. But the way it syncs in into the tape is bewildering. Kyle is praising this girl who he says wants to suck his soul in. But at the same time she such a toxic one, he begs her to show him what she wants and to be decisive. Its a clear party bop and anthem he ends it with a beautiful interpolation of, #2, very creative if you ask me.

And last but not least, we get to see bad boy Kyle on the final track titled, Hit and Run featuring fellow RnB crooner, Suubi. Here Kyle is in his bad boy element singing about shuffling women and being in his lover boy bag at the same time as it seems the girl he chooses. Is just in it for the hit and run. Suubi on the other hand eats his feature with one spoon using his groovy melodies and catchy voice. Once again the production is to die for a perfect track if you'd ask me.

In conclusion, for a debut project, Kyle ticks all the boxes giving us grooves and slow jams for the pairs. Its a debut project that makes the noise its supposed make announcing his arrival on the Ugandan music scene with a banger of a project. And was well received as it peaked at number 2 on the Apple Music Uganda albums chart. We here at thecruize give it an overall rating of 8.5/10. Its been a minute since we received such well thought music in our Ugandan underground scene and I believe its a project that will grow on most people.

Can't wait to hear it live and watch where Kyle heads from here.