AMUNASO - YEMBELA

Amunaso

Amunaso’s new single Yembela is a slow-burning, soulful listen that wraps you in its world without needing to shout. Rooted in Congolese heritage and shaped by her life across the Netherlands and Belgium, this track feels like an intimate conversation between past and present — soft, deliberate and beautifully unhurried.

From the first few seconds, there’s a real sense of calm. The production leans into a laid-back R&B soul feel, with a guitar-led arrangement that gives the whole track a warm, slightly nostalgic edge. It’s the kind of song that asks you to slow down and actually listen, not just skim through.

Amunaso’s voice has this hushed clarity to it — never forced, always centred — and the choice to record vocals at home really shows. You can feel she’s taken her time with it, letting the emotion settle before pressing record. The harmonies are well-placed, and the backing layers add that dreamy texture she’s clearly fond of. Nothing’s overcooked, and that works in her favour.

What stands out most in Yembela is the guitar. It’s not just background — it feels like another voice in the conversation. The solo at the end does exactly what she hoped for: a quiet climax, expressive and almost spiritual without being dramatic. There’s sincerity in the performance, and it suits the mood of the track down to the ground.

Lyrically, Yembela isn’t weighed down with metaphor — it’s more about mood and intention than big statements. The use of Lingala gives the track extra soul and a sense of rootedness, while the repeated lines work like a mantra or gentle prayer. You believe her when she says this is her way of connecting to something bigger than herself.

This isn’t trying to be a moment. It’s trying to be a feeling, and it achieves that quite well. It might not be for everyone — if you’re after instant hooks or radio-ready structure, it may feel a bit too soft, too subtle. But for listeners who like music that feels lived-in and emotionally honest, Yembela is worth your time.

Overall, Amunaso offers something that feels true to her — reflective, atmospheric, and carefully made. It’s not flashy, but it lingers, and sometimes that’s the point.