“PLUME” By Kizzy Grace

With “Plume”, the singer from Cameroon, comes a work as bold as it is thought-provoking, four months after her single "Gagner des âmes." In this mini-album of 5 tracks released on November 22, 2024, the artist skillfully blends musicality with the depth of her lyrics, creating a magnetic urban gospel.The album opens with intriguing and curious piano notes on the track "Je veux tout de toi," lasting 16 seconds. In this intimate and introspective song, Kizzy speaks of a believer who has strayed from the right path in their quest for the Lord, making a plea to humbly dedicate oneself to the Almighty in order to serve the community.

The singer, who resides in Nantes, France, then follows up with "Encore," a fusion of house and pop styles that creates a unique musical experience full of groove and inventiveness. What stands out in this track are the choirs, which add a sense of simplicity and bring the emotion to life. On "Praise," worship becomes a central expression of the Christian faith, an act of adoration that transcends words and touches the depths of our being. The singer thus celebrates God's goodness and faithfulness. "Toujours là" relies on a danceable rhythm with an enchanting atmosphere and minimalist production. By reusing pop elements, Kizzy doesn't just say "Thank you" to God for His omnipresence, but reinvents herself, adding a touch of kindness and immersion unique to her universe. The guitar riffs at the end of this fourth track awaken our senses in a positive way.

The result on "Montre-Moi" is a hybrid piece, where RnB, amapiano, rap influences, and electronic sounds blend together. The sound here is transformed, like a malleable substance that, under expert hands, becomes a playground for lighter but equally impactful sounds. This work on sound follows the artist's continued evolution, as she pushes the boundaries of her musical style with every project. The appearance of the violin, giving this final track a much more spiritual volume, is like a mirror of the soul. The artist's message is clear, as she calls on every Christian to come to the Almighty, asking Him to show them the path to salvation.

I will leave you to discover this young lady for yourself, and focus on the album, her first-ever. Identified as a calling card in the program notes, “Plume” indeed has a reduced volume in terms of duration, being an economical object. This is what we call an EP or mini-album. Five tracks totaling barely 20 minutes may be short, but what you hear is of such quality that it more than makes up for it.

Through a varied repertoire of contemporary French-speaking gospel melodies, a luminous mezzo-soprano with both lyricism and depth unfolds with an impressive confidence. Kizzy's voice has a natural flexibility that allows her to express even the most subtle emotional inflections of the lyrics and the sung melodic lines. The power she can project shows no signs of roughness or effort. And what impeccable diction! I haven’t encountered this level of clarity since Don Moen, Dena Mwana, or Morijah. It’s a true joy to listen to these vocal jewels expressed with so much style, commitment, and warm radiance. Now, we just need to campaign for a full-length album as soon as possible! Such a talent will soon be sought after by major gospel stages around the world.