Kahn Morbee’s return to solo work is significant, especially considering that he has enjoyed a celebrated two-decade career at the helm of The Parlotones.
Image: Poetry Photography
Acclaimed South African singer-songwriter Kahn Morbee, best known as the dynamic frontman of the legendary rock band The Parlotones, is making waves in the music scene again with his latest project, an EP entitled "Buzzhead”.
This six-track compilation represents not just a return to his solo roots but also an evolution as an artist. It embraces a sonic journey of self-reliance and growth.
It takes listeners through an introspective landscape, exploring touching themes such as nostalgia, mortality, and the chaotic beauty of youth.
Each lyric resonates with emotional weight, encapsulating the bittersweet moments that define the human experience. This project is not merely a collection of songs; it is a sonic experiment that showcases Morbee's growth as both a writer and producer.
Morbee’s return to solo work is significant, especially considering that he has enjoyed a celebrated two-decade career at the helm of The Parlotones.
The band, recognised for their iconic anthems and a global touring presence, continues to craft new music while Morbee hints at a personal shift in his creative output.
He has hinted that songs that fall outside the band's stylistic scope could now find life within his solo releases, hinting at an exciting future for his fans.
Following the critically praised 2021 solo album “A World At Suicide”, the EP embodies Morbee’s artistry during a transformative period of his life, both literally and figuratively.
The EP is not merely a collection of songs; it is a sonic experiment that showcases Kahn Morbee's growth as both a writer and producer.
Image: Supplied
In a recent interview with “Independent Media Lifestyle”, Morbee shared insights into his creative journey and the personal evolution that led him to this point.
The journey to the EP has been one of continuous exploration for Morbee. “I’m constantly writing,” he stated.
This ongoing creative process has allowed him to refine his engineering and production skills - a pursuit that blossomed after his relocation to the Netherlands, where he built a home studio.
The studio became a sanctuary for Morbee as he embarked on the journey to authentically capture the essence of his songs.
He mentioned, “Collaborating with a local guitarist and producer helped speed up my learning curve.”
In his view, inspiration isn’t an isolated event; rather, it’s a constant stream that flows and evolves, leading to a plethora of music at his disposal.
From his early days of grappling with guitar chords at the age of 15, Morbee’s zeal for songwriting ignited early.
Learning to navigate the complexities of music through his lens allowed him to find solace in writing, often getting lost for hours crafting melodies and lyrics.
He draws influences from a rich tapestry of artists, including The Cure, The Smiths, Queen, and Radiohead, whose melodic, guitar-driven styles helped shape the music he creates today.
Despite the fame garnered through The Parlotones, Morbee reassured fans of his dedication to artistry over validation.
“Fans will love some, hate some - but that’s part of the beauty,” he explained. Morbee’s approach involves composing music not solely for the approval of others, but for the pure joy of the creative process.
“If I die of old age, still humming a melody and strumming a guitar, then I will have achieved all I could have dreamt of within my career as a musician,” he reflected.
“This project has an added sense of accomplishment because I recorded it all at my home studio and learned a lot more about producing and engineering,” he shared.
Kahn Morbee’s return to solo work is significant, especially considering that he has enjoyed a celebrated two-decade career at the helm of The Parlotones.
Image: Poetry Photography
The meticulous nature of the process, marked by numerous revisions and enhancements, has only heightened his excitement for future projects.
“Now that I’ve finished one, there will be a lot more, and they'll be more frequent,” he noted, giving fans much to look forward to.
When asked if there's a particular reason for his solo pursuits, Morbee maintains that the drive to create is inherent to his identity as an artist.
“I’m not interested in writing for other people, and not all my songs suit The Parlotones’ style,” he explained.
This uncertainty in creativity allows some of his music to find its place in solo work, while other pieces align with the band’s aesthetic.
The title of the EP, “Buzzhead”, symbolises a deeper narrative.
“It just has a nice ring to it,” Morbee mused, acknowledging the metaphorical noise cluttering our minds in today’s society.
“This noise pollution makes it difficult for our minds to have clarity, and this is why the world is… ” he trailed off with a chuckle, hinting at the chaotic reality of contemporary life.
Looking ahead, Morbee is not slowing down. An additional solo EP is on the horizon, with a targeted release in just four to six months.
He also confirmed the development of a new Parlotones project.
However, due to the logistics connected to his life in the Netherlands, fans can expect this collaboration to take a little longer than usual.
Lutho Pasiya’s standout tracks on the EP.
- "Look At Us Now": This track serves as a powerful reflection on ageing, disillusionment, and the all-too-realisation that life rarely unfolds in the manner we once envisioned. Morbee delivers a brutally honest meditation on missed dreams, peeling back the layers of the façade we wear while navigating a life that at times can feel devoid of purpose.
- "Buzzhead": The title track is a captivating blend of sonic playfulness and lyrical ambiguity. With a new fingerpicking pattern that breathes life into stream-of-consciousness lyrics, the song culminates in a thought-provoking musing on mortality, inspired by the famous quote from Atticus and Neil Young: “It’s better to burn out than fade away.”
- "Tragedy of Life": Perhaps the emotional heart of the EP, this song delves into the painful, yet universal experience of letting go ... of people, memories, youth, love, and fear. Morbee's signature poetic lyricism beautifully captures the inevitable losses that define our lives, striking a chord with listeners through its raw honesty.