Phases

Despite the record’s serious subject matter — toxic relationships, breakups, female empowerment — Moonchild Sanelly maintains her irreverent, fun style while creating something of a roadmap of South African dance music past and present as she moves with ease between gqom, amapiano, afro house, kwaito, and hip-hop, switching between English and Xhosa. The album is a celebration of women, and it’s the sound of an eclectic artist refusing to conform and confidently stepping into her multifaceted identity.