PHFAT knocks us out again with his brand new project. Love and Death is an evolution of the sound that has become so indicative of PHFAT. The short film sees a visual narrative that threads four tracks seamlessly together to create a powerful and abstract haymaker to the feels.

The intro is a little ooky and spooky, with a synth straight out of Area 51 or the X Files, mixing a distorted vox and slow pacing, only for the drop at 01:09 to slap that much harder. This is hardly surprising, as he’s been making hard-edged bangers since the beginning of his career.

With stunning visuals and the progression of this quasi-love story (in the way that Marriage Story is a love story) – it shows a sonic and conceptual ability that reminds us why PHFAT is such a beloved South African act, as Love and Death moves in and around different songs to create a lattice work that flow together channeling the grimy, the sincere and the passionate volumes of grief inbetween.

From the breathtaking shots of Mike floating in the ocean to the B-side of the track, which shifts up the tone into a beautiful, intimate and emotional downtempo vocal over a muted guitar picking. juxtaposing the emotional anguish of fighting lovers, dates and more, framed by the studio – as if all of these emotional experiences have been constantly a source for the work that has gone into Mike‘s music.

Comprised of a number of different local talents, the short film continues to be indicative of PHFAT and Smooth Mike‘s legacy. One of the nicest and most supportive people in the scene, Mike Zietsman has spread his focus to the studio and production, working with and supporting the best of Cape Town’s upcoming talent.

As a Dinosaur Blood stan I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed a new release by the OG. Some musicians lose the plot as they get older and just keep making the same tired stuff but this release shows evolution without losing the core of what made PHFAT’s sound so unique.