those were the days.

Jun 5, 2025
3 min read

THE MAKING OF THE EP

The seven-track EP was conceived via sessions in Lehurutshe and Bonanza of Zeerust. Fully created from internet instrumentals, it was important for me to finally step out of my comfort zone and express the fractured and longing emotions of my adolescence. I personally picked the beats, wrote and arranged every song – all intentional because it was my tale to tell. Being that my introversion was exposed through going to these sessions, it was a test to stretch my hand and let the engineers (Dee Laden Jay & Zaiigoh) assist me in building a project I care about. The recording process was fluid due to preparation and the urge to acknowledge my voice. The guys were quite patient with me, considering that there were other artists around the time recording/working on their projects (which I happened to be involved in as well). A few weeks after the recordings were complete and I awaited the mastered versions of the songs I had a photoshoot with Tshegofatso, which was a sweet experience. The way she orchestrated every detail was so casual and well thought-out that we managed to work on other concepts/projects. She made it fun for me to have input and be in control of my narrative.

TINY BREAKDOWN OF THE SONGS

The project opener “moments” is a soul-gospel-esque track which explores the turbulence in Elijah’s faith and applying an attitude of gratitude in day-to-day life for some inner groundwork.

The second song “cover me” is a release of guilt in the multidimensions of being human. The first line, “I feel that love is forever,” suggests a proclamation of Elijah’s belief in love. In this case it can be associated with self and/or a romantic/sexual partnership. As the chorus pleads: “cover me, cover me, when the world is breaking down on me and I’m not strong to stand amidst the rain,” there’s a longing for a significant other to fulfil his needs and commit to an intimate relationship.

“the solar to my plexus” is driven by the intent to create balance – form new habits and patterns to inspire change in how Elijah sees himself and adopt control in situations.

The fourth track “i like you” was motivated by a love interest Elijah developed from a restaurant date. The lyrics create a scenario of wishful thinking through a dialogue between two lovers who are drawn to each other’s interests, preferences and appearance.

Melancholy thrives in “meet me halfway” (the title isn’t in any of the lyrics, but carry a strong detail) as this is a song of estrangement and yearning for a father’s love. It starts off with a realization, “trying seems like an obligation to the other man,” which sets the tone of how it’s difficult to process misunderstanding and faint communication in a relationship. This is more than a vent record. It’s an interpretation of a grievance that has a slight chance of recovery.

Seeking light is a force in the poetic “love is the case” as it is associated with clarity, needed harmony within self and others, and being guided by one’s intuition.

We can refer the theme of faith in the first track to this last one “trust” where the efforts made to believe in the Higher Power can suffice all circumstances. After being diagnosed with depression, Elijah was prescribed antidepressants which he only took for a few months until never. The surrender in the practices of meditation and prayer was a reward in choosing awareness instead of agony.

PS. These songs were arranged and influenced by the chakra system (hence 7 songs). Pay attention to the color make-up on my hands displayed on the images.