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EP Review: Takunda's 'argh, honestly nevermind'

TAWANDA CHARI

There’s something about Takunda’s voice that feels like it was built for RnB — smooth, and emotionally charged in ways few can replicate. He is one of the best new voices in Zimbabwean music across all genres. You can stop reading this and go listen to his music right now. This is a brilliant body of work that belongs on your playlist. Despite the seemingly casual shrug in the title "argh, honestly nevermind", Takunda is very much “minding”. Minding every heartbreak, betrayal, and emotional twist he’s been through. He is minding a little too much but for someone "akarohwa chadonha" (euphemism for getting scammed), it makes sense.

    (argh, honestly nevermind tracklist)


One More Night (Intro)

The project opens with One More Night. “chandino kumbira, is to spend one more night with you. Promise I’ll leave you soon, I’ll never bother you”. Takunda captures that paradox of wanting closeness while knowing it’s over. It’s a confusing sentiment, not because the message is unclear, but because it mirrors how people really are. We crave reciprocity in love. A balance between giving and receiving. Yet, we often chase after the very people who no longer value us. “Can I bother you just one more night?” sounds insane though. It is. but that’s the kind of emotional honesty that makes this opener hard. 


Zvirimberi ft Shona Prince

When you see Shona Prince on a tracklist, you know it’s serious business. Many of us have been waiting for this collaboration, and it doesn’t disappoint. But I've personally been waiting for this collab for over a year. l did not know it would happen but l hoped it would. When l saw Max Ari on Pariah, l just knew the song is coming. boy did they exceed my expectations.

The synergy between Takunda and Takura (now Shona Prince) feels natural, like two artists who understand each other’s emotional language.

Thematically, Zvirimberi explores how people’s preferences evolve. How we are prejudiced. Something l tweet about all the time. Height, wealth, education, lifestyle and how those evolving standards can push relationships apart. Takunda tackles the pain of being left behind when someone starts “wanting what’s better.” It’s painful, but it happens. Shona Prince’s verse lands perfectly here. This is easily the standout moment on the EP.

            

Mahumbwe

Mahumbwe is the cultural anchor of the project. The Shona childhood game where kids mimic adult life becomes a metaphor for a relationship that feels like pretense. Like playing house. Here, Takunda flips nostalgia into heartbreak, confronting the realization that what once felt like love was merely mahumbwe. 


You Could’ve

Then comes You Could’ve, a song that dives into the psychological need for closure. “You could’ve said, kuti why usisade,” he sings — a line that perfectly captures that haunting need to know why. When something ends without explanation, the human mind revolts against the incompleteness. Takunda taps into that discomfort beautifully. The song examines the chaos of the mind when it can’t make peace with the unknown.

Stream Argh, Honestly Nevermind here:


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