Since his debut in 2017, emerging Kenyan singer Masauti (Mohammed Ali Said) has been brewing an exotic blend of Afropop. Melding piano-driven productions with catchy melodies propelled by his honeyed vocals and the carefree preference to sing in Swahili, each release saw the emotive singer carefully construct a signature sound that highlights his rich cultural heritage. His debut LP, 2020’s Masauti, unfolded the the full range of his talents: his clever songwriting, his talent for making earworms and his emotional honesty, with the singer pouring out his reflections on love. The mood is however different on his follow-up, 2023’s This Is Me. True to its name, the project is a cohesive, personal showcase of Masauti, filled with bouncy tracks and driven by a prevailing desire to show off all the good sides of being in love. On “Case”, he lets his polished voice express the depth of his lustrous desire, while his vibrant energy powers the midtempo dancehall tune “Woman”. An album highlight is “Caro”, where the soft, hypnotic beat becomes a neat canvas for the singer-songwriter to unleash his emotions freely, conjuring soothing words to serenade his love interest. The delightful “Feeling” beams a light on his mesmerising singing, encapsulating the strong writing and candour that make this the singer’s boldest offering yet.