CHIMANO’S HEAVY IS THE CROWN ALBUM REVIEW

One fourth of the greatest band in Africa, Chimano, finally released his solo project on 15th April, 2021 titled Heavy is the Crown.

The 7 track EP was preceded by the funky disco inspired lead single titled Friday Feeling released earlier this year.

Described by Chimano as a body of work revolving around self-acceptance, love, freedom, redemption and gratitude, Heavy is the Crown was a delight to listen to and I’d like to share my thoughts on the project.

Friday Feeling

I was obsessed with Friday Feeling when it came out, the song itself is fun and liberating, perfect for ushering in the weekend.

However, Friday feeling aged like milk, it’s a quick burning hit that lost its flame after the fifth listen.
I commend Chimano for experimenting with different sounds creating a unique fusion of rhumba, 80s synth pop and afrobeats on this track and representing queer drag culture fearlessly in the music video.

Freedom

Freedom is a heart rendering ballad that will touch your heart as soon as it comes on.

The production is stripped down to give an acoustic feel, with a beautiful piano melody and pulsating drums allowing Chimano’s vocals together with his background singers to hit home.

Freedom talks about not letting those with ill intentions into one’s heart, finding peace and healing within oneself without depending on anyone.

I love everything about this song the vocals, background harmonies and the lyrics are all chef’s kiss.

Loser



Loser is a magnificent dance pop banger that will get you on your feet with its groovy and infectious nature.
Chimano’s delivery is Madonna inspired very reminiscent of Vogue especially on the first verse achieving his objectives of taking us to an era of disco and the inception of ballroom culture.

Loser is fun, electrifying and modern making it very palatable to the international market which I hope will eat it up. Such a bop.

Hallelujah

Hallelujah could have been kept in all honesty, sorry Chims. Something is missing in this song, I don’t know if it was the mundane vocal performance or the melodic composition but I just can’t connect to this song as much as I try, my first skip on the album.
On the plus side I love the choir on the outro of the song I wish he used their harmonies in the chorus cause this sing had potential.

Beautiful Day

Beautify is my favorite song on the EP. Chimano will make you believe it’s a beautiful day as he sings about spending quality time with his lover.

Beautiful day is the perfect song to add in your bedroom playlist if you know what I mean.

Stereo

On stereo Chimano celebrates having his music played in the radio as he reminisces of his childhood listening to music on the stereo radio, a full circle moment.

Mad Love

Chimano closes the album with mad love, which is the best produced song on the EP, riding high on synth pop wave akin to The Weeknd.

Mad love gets better with every listen, everything about it will have you snapping your fingers and tapping your feet, such a feel good pop song.

Mad love ends the EP with in a perfect celebratory mood of love.


Heavy Is The Crown is a valiant effort by one of Kenya’s most talented songwriter and vocalist fully expressing his individuality, sexuality and artistry through the 80s inspired dance pop bangers that tell Chimano’s story helping us connect with him further as an audience.

Only critique I have is the inconsistency in vocal delivery in between the EP and the lack or replay value in one or two songs but had a blast combing through this EP.

Congratulations to Chimano for this exceptional body of work, I can’t wait to witness the live performance of this songs and everything else he has offer.
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