One of South Africa’s most beloved R&B acts is back with a new offering. But could the moments in between is an eight-track exploration into love by the artist, Manana. The project stays true to Manana’s signature tone while introducing different elements.
He started working on it in September 2020 and completed it in May this year. The project took a while because of lockdown interruptions, co-ordinating with collaborators through lockdowns and a busy schedule. The EP is a lead up to his upcoming full length album set to be released next year and will end the trilogy.
Bubblegum Club caught up with Manana to talk about his new EP.
Lee Nxumalo: Why did you title the project, But could the moments in between? Does that hold any significant meaning?
Manana: Yeah. The EP is one of three projects. So, In the beginning was the end was the first and But could the moments in between is the second and the third project, which will be an album, [will] finish the concept. When all three projects are released, it will be kind of a short poem, if you will.
Lee Nxumalo: Got it! So going back to when you made In the beginning was the end, did you know that this is going to be a three part project?
Manana: I knew it was going to be three parts. I didn’t know if the names would be intertwined. I thought each project would stand alone but as we were working on the second one, it made sense to link the entire story together.
Lee Nxumalo: In terms of subject matter, it’s slightly different. In the beginning was the end was love songs that reflected you getting married. So with that in mind, what was happening in your life that would inform this project?
Manana: Not as much. I think as much as I put some of the things I go through in the songs, I also try to put myself in other people’s situations. I use a lot of inspiration from the people around me. I use their stories, their love, and tough times to write. There’s love and heartbreak [in this project] but there are songs that are about me, like ‘Patiently’. But a lot of it is taken from people close to me, and then I sprinkle myself in there a little bit.
Lee Nxumalo: So then, considering that you have people in mind when you write some of the records, even though they’re not necessarily a reflection of your life, a song like ‘Pulchritudinous’ has resonated with people. Why do you think that is the case?
Manana: I’m not sure. I think, to be honest, that it is one of the songs that is the most far left from anything that I’ve heard in the R&B space recently.
I think maybe it’s a labour of love situation. I don’t know. I think the song itself isn’t particularly articulate; it doesn’t have a very beautiful story. I wanted to write a love song that wasn’t called ‘I love you’ or ‘I think you’re beautiful’, if you know what I mean.
Lee Nxumalo: ‘Patiently’ is a personal record that ends the project. Why was it the hardest song to create for the project?
Manana: It wasn’t practically hard as the writing wasn’t necessarily too difficult. But the fact that it is probably the one song that is 100% me and it is about where I was, and where I think I will go far as in my career and my life. I don’t usually expose myself that much.
I think that song touches a lot of people right now and it’s a good note to end the project. It’s kind of like a “We’re all alone in this together” thing, if you know what I mean and that’s why I decided to end with it.
Answers have been shortened for brevity and clarity. Listen to ‘But could the moments in between’ here.
