It has been two years since lordkez released a fully body of work with her ‘midsummer’ EP being her last project offering. She has since grown her brand with her debut performance at Rocking The Daisies last year as well her ‘Listening Party‘ feature by Feel Good Series in collaboration with TuneCore. The listening party introduced me to her sound for the very first time as I heard her music for the first time. We were joined in by Shekhinah and the Stay Low family in support of the event which was hosted by Mamakashaka agency founder and event pioneer, Nandi Dlepu.
She now returns with her debut album titled ‘Testament’ which showcases a mixture of lordkez’s spectacular vocal play and writing skills. The project is opened up by a single titled ‘Judas’ which taps on a particular individual that betrayed her when she was at her lowest. This song also cross references to the Biblical character ‘Judas’ which expresses her religious beliefs further. She was hurt by the particular individual and this is her way of saying ‘I have moved on’.
We are then followed by ‘Snow’ which is a highly emotive song as it taps on the challenges she was undergoing and how she managed to stay afloat in those times as she lifted her chin and chose to see the light in the darkness. She definitely fought it through as she managed to complete the project through the expression of her inner thoughts and emotional overwhelming that she had at the time.
‘Enthralled’ then further takes us on a journey of unity as she features international star, Bas on the single. The track received stellar visuals which reference the ‘Knight in shining armour’ storyline. In the song you get to understand the road of love. ‘Confessions’ then takes us back in time with the jazzy instrumental and boom bap beat. Lordkez expresses all the things she has had to overcome over the years such as depression and loneliness. She then also touches on the journey of healing from her past wounds including her forgiving herself and closing certain chapters in the process.
‘Flowers’ with Mars Baby is a song about heartbreak as her and Mars Baby tap into inconsistent relationships where what they used to have is slightly diluting in plain sight and this hurts them more then ever as the relationships die right in front of them.
‘Water’ with Shekhinah on the other hand is a song about the positives of love where they are expressing the extent of their love for their partners as they are ‘deep’ in love and cannot find a way to ‘float’. It is more of a song about what true love feels like and what compromise in a relationship is about.
‘Free Will’ with Tyler Linkman is a high note song about living freely and dreaming as far as you can dream. It also cross references a scripture in the Bible about ‘The Sower planting seeds on various grounds’, Lordkez told Apple Music in an interview with them.
‘Empty Temple’ touches on her connection with God as she was at some point stuck in her head and needed to feel grounded which was when she learnt a lot more about herself and her purpose on earth as she connected more and more with God.
‘Beholder’ is a song that touches on the various perceptions of the term ‘beautiful’ and all she is trying to say is that beauty will come in various forms, shapes and sizes and you as the beholder have control to what you deem as beautiful or not but that does not mean you should use it to deconstruct the confidence in others as we are all beautiful in all forms.
‘Eternity’ with UK artist, Jelani Blackman is a reminiscent song where they reflect on all the amazing things about their ‘partners’ which they miss about them. It is quite a soulful song which speaks on various volumes of love and appreciation as nothing lasts forever.
‘Holy Matrimony’ which was the lead single to the project is about how much love she has to give and how involving she is of this particular person in her life. It is a very mellow and yet spiritual tune as she becomes self-aware and begins to pray for this individual.
‘Testament’ then closes the song in the most harmonious manner as it is a more spiritual tune and expresses her being in tune with her spirituality as well as her relationship with God.
I enjoyed the album completely as serves as it is an open diary about lordkez and who she has managed to become outside of those challenges. It is a journey of freedom from all those dark days and reinventing herself for the greater good. It is an amazing project and is worth the listen as you will be smoothly moved by the harmonies and the storytelling within the project.
Stream ‘Testimony’ by lordkez below:
