‘TOUCH IS A MOVE’ SOUNDS LIKE MEMORY IN MOTION 

It’s been nearly five years since Samthing Soweto gave us a full project. In that time, we saw the highs, the silence, the vulnerability, and the internet speculation. And still, through all of it, we waited. Not for bops. Not for another “Akanamali.” But for him. Now he’s finally returned with Touch Is a Move (Good Morning). And no, it’s not his best album, but it’s a very, very good one. 

Throwback. That’s what comes to mind when you first listen to this album. “Touch is a move” comes from those childhood board games where once you touch a piece, you’re committed. No do-overs, no hesitation. That idea echoes throughout the project. It’s about decisions, ownership, and all the feelings that come after. 

From the first track, the album feels like a memory. Not a perfect one, but a real one. The skits and interludes don’t feel like fillers. They feel like chapters. Like voice notes from characters that shaped his childhood. It all unfolds with a calm, steady rhythm that gives space for the stories to land. You feel pulled back to that time. The houses, the conversations, the people. But you’re hearing it all through someone who’s grown now. Someone who’s seen things, felt things, and is finally ready to unpack them properly. 

The production is good, but sometimes it holds back. There are a few moments where the beats feel like they’re building toward something that never comes. A song like “325” stands out because it gives us something different. The tone, the vocal delivery, the overall energy, it’s refreshing. But it’s also begging for just one more layer. A solid drum pattern could’ve elevated it completely. It’s a track that shows growth and experimentation, but it doesn’t fully land. 

There are clear highlights. “Ama Get Down” with Blxckie is smooth and grounded. It doesn’t try too hard and that’s why it works. “Don’t Wanna Let Go” sits heavy in the chest. It’s a song about holding on, even when you know you’re slipping. “Come Duze” is intimate without being soft. “Yebo” gives clarity. “Deda” is absolutely stunning. A standout. It’s layered, poetic, and vulnerable without feeling fragile.

Touch Is a Move might not be the best album in his discography, but it’s definitely one of his most important. It shows a side of Samthing Soweto that isn’t trying to gain popularity. It just wants to be understood. There’s something brave about how raw it feels. How personal. How willing it is to sit in discomfort. 

It’s not perfect, and there’s definitely room to push it further, especially production-wise. But it’s real. It’s grown. It’s vulnerable. And honestly, it’s a good project from Samthing Soweto. A solid 3.8 out of 5

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