The Very Best sounds like a bridge built between a Lilongwe street market and an East London warehouse party. It is a collision of Esau Mwamwaya’s warm, soulful vocals in Chichewa and the jagged, neon-bright electronic production of Radioclit. The music is relentlessly optimistic, characterized by shimmering synths, heavy global bass rhythms, and melodies that feel like they have existed forever but were just discovered in a digital crate.
What makes them truly distinctive is the lack of cynicism. While many electronic acts lean into irony or darkness, The Very Best embraces pure, unadulterated joy. They treat traditional Malawian musical structures and modern Western pop with equal reverence, creating a 'third space' where polyrhythmic percussion and 808 kicks coexist perfectly. It is the sound of a globalized world that actually works.
Start with 'Warm Heart of Africa' to hear the quintessential blend of indie-pop sensibility and African soul. It features Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, serving as a perfect entry point for those coming from the indie world. From there, move to 'MTMTMK' for a heavier, more club-oriented experience that showcases their production range.
The Very Best is a collaboration between London-based DJ and production duo Radioclit and Esau Mwamwaya, a singer from Lilongwe, Malawi. Their music has been described as an Afro-Western mix of dance, hip hop, pop, and the traditional music of Malawi.
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