VX and TshegoTellar’s Niks Mathata (No Worries) is an Amapiano EP that gets the mood right more often than it offers something memorable. Across seven tracks, familiar log drums, township textures and straightforward vocal performances make for an easy enough listen. There are moments built for a crowded dancefloor, but the project rarely pushes beyond sounds and ideas the genre has already explored.
Thando searches for love in familiar territory
Opening track “Thando”, meaning love, sets that pattern early. Gontle sings about searching everywhere for love over a recognisable Amapiano beat, with the signature log drum doing much of the rhythmic work. Her delivery is competent, though there is little in the phrasing or vocal range on display to make the performance stand apart. The male vocal adds some personality without substantially changing the song’s impact. It is a serviceable love song, but neither the singing nor the production gives it a particularly distinctive identity.
Sgija VX brings the raw club energy
“Sgija VX” is more convincing. Heavy bass and a wonderfully stanky log drum bring a raw township flavour, giving the track a stronger sense of purpose. This is music for the part of the night when the drinks have kicked in and the club is still moving at 2AM. Its appeal lies in that dirty, physical energy: the beat has enough attitude to make questions about originality feel less pressing in the moment. As a club cut, it is one of the EP’s clearer successes.
Xolela has a catchy but repetitive hook
With “Xolela”, the project returns to vocals and a more reflective mood. Gontle’s repeated refrain is catchy, although the repetition also becomes monotonous. The lyric appears to ask forgiveness for past sins, possibly addressing God, giving the song a suggestion of spiritual weight. That emotional premise is stronger than the sense of discovery in the music itself. The hook is easy to latch onto, but the performance and overall feel remain familiar. It is a decent song that stops short of becoming a compelling one.
Ndi Lapha leaves a modest impression
“Ndi Lapha” leaves a quieter impression. There is nothing especially objectionable about it, but little that demands another listen either. Within this sequence, it feels like a middle-of-the-road entry: pleasant enough while it plays, without becoming a reason to return to the EP.
Less Worries captures a township mood
The predominantly instrumental “Less Worries” brings the township atmosphere back into focus. It has the feel of a soundtrack to everyday life in South Africa’s townships, with the groove carrying more of the character than any vocal statement. That local flavour is appealing, although the track does not quite turn its atmosphere into a standout moment. It sustains the project’s mood without raising the stakes.
Dlala Ka Sghubu recalls an earlier Amapiano era
“Dlala Ka Sghubu”, roughly meaning play with the beat or drum, offers a more intriguing possibility. Its familiar hit-making feel recalls the Amapiano sound associated with the genre’s explosion around 2020. There is an immediate recognisability to that approach, and it will be interesting to see whether listeners embrace it. For now, it plays as a reminder of a well-loved period in the sound rather than an obvious step forward.
Dubo closes with township funk
Closer “Dubo” ends the EP with a welcome dose of dirt and township funk. It is vibey and loose enough to keep the mood alive, though it does not deliver the decisive final moment that might lift the project as a whole. Like much of what precedes it, it is enjoyable without being exceptional.
The verdict is enjoyable but unremarkable
Niks Mathata works best when VX and TshegoTellar lean into the raw physicality of their club tracks, especially on “Sgija VX”. The vocal songs are less distinctive, and too much of the EP settles into competent familiarity. There is room for music that simply keeps the dancefloor moving, and this project has some of that utility. As a complete listening experience, though, it is just fine: a few worthwhile grooves, plenty of recognisable Amapiano ingredients, and too few moments that make it feel essential.
