Premiere: Ms. Thandi cements her place in the future with new single, The Eyes

Back towards the start of the year, we were gobsmacked by Ms. Thandi - a Sydney-based musician we were then being introduced to via her second single HUNNY. It's a single that moves with this rich R&B spirit; a thick sprawling production forming the backbone for her butter-smooth vocal, which feels reminiscent to that of international heavyweights in Ari Lennox and SZA. At the same time, however, it was uniquely Ms. Thandi, whose twists and turns within her lyricism made HUNNY feel like a song that'd be impossible to replicate by anyone else.

In the time since, Ms. Thandi has shined. She won triple j Unearthed's NIDA video competition, which saw the film clip to her upcoming single The Eyes - more on that in just a second - premiere on Rage last week, and on top that, she's made moves within the limited live music space, where she's been able to shine as a force in New South Wales music venues that makes them feel full with this enchanted energy, even if they're running at reduced capacities due to coronavirus restrictions. Ms. Thandi has something special, and with every move she makes, that feels more and more evident.

Now, with a third single titled The Eyes, it's hard to deny Ms. Thandi's status as a next-up. It's a rich and smooth display of African-Australian R&B at a new peak, with Thandi moving amongst a gentle production from close friend and collaborator Sumatra as she pairs the track's woozy beats with sensual and romanticised lyricism. It's a celebration of love, adoration and desire through a genre that comes hand-in-hand with it; a moment that reflects on sensuality and lust, and how they form a place in not just Ms. Thandi's world, but in that of those around her too.

"The Eyes is a lust song disguised as a love song," she says on the single, which is a bit of a turning point when placed comparatively with HUNNY, which instead showcased and emphasised the women in her life. "It’s ultimately about the moment you link eyes with someone beautiful, and the instant attraction you feel to them. I'm so excited to be releasing this one. It's certainly one of my favourites!"

It's one hell of a song that further shows that Ms. Thandi is one of the most exciting things in Australian music right now, and you can take a dive into it below as it premieres on Pilerats ahead of its greater release this Friday, October 9th.

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