Cruel Santino and Mavo have linked up on a new track called "Siesta," and in just two minutes, they pack in enough atmosphere and experimentation to make it feel far bigger than its runtime suggests.
The production pulls from dream-pop, alt-R&B, electronic bounce, and low-slung Afrobeats rhythms all at once. Atmospheric synth pads and heavy sub-bass carry the song, leaving room for Santino's delayed vocal layers and the kind of conceptual world-building his fans have come to expect from him.
What gives "Siesta" its real edge is Mavo's contribution. His street-pop vocal inflections sit in sharp, grounded contrast to Santino's hazy, unconventional phrasing, and together they create something that feels futuristic without being inaccessible, even for listeners who don't usually follow the alte lane.
For anyone paying attention to where West African music is heading, "Siesta" is a good place to start listening.
Originally published by NotJustOk.