XENIA MANASSEH RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM LOVE/HATE PT. 1

R&B Kenyan singer-songwriter, Xenia Manasseh takes listeners on a rollercoaster of love’s uncertainty with her eagerly-awaited debut album Love/Hate Pt. 1. 

The 11-track masterpiece is delicate, fierce and woven with raw and vulnerable lyrics that begs to be heard from top to bottom. Xenia Manasseh’s poignant debut album takes listeners on a captivating journey through the tumultuous rollercoaster of love while artfully weaving together soulful melodies, introspective lyrics, and relatable dilemmas that resonate with every heart. 

Xenia speaks on the album and the newly released visualizer, “Love/Hate is also one of the songs and I felt that was the song that encompassed all the feelings that are spoken about in the album–the good, the bad, and in-between. I try to remember that balance as [a lifeline]. I’m also a Libra which is the sign of the scale, so I try to see the world through that lens and I felt like it’s not just representative of the album but also of me,” adding, “I feel like everything in the album falls under those two words. It’s like a pendulum swing – you’re in and you’re out.  When people listen, the title will resonate with them.”

The album opens with GI’s Intro, a soft, soulful Swahili song Intro that features Xenia’s grandfather Manasseh. They harmonize and bond over a Swahili composition by Luka Tututu from the Coast Province, where Xenia’s family comes from, a prelude that sets the tone for the emotional rollercoaster that follows. “Soul Lovers” then kicks in, capturing Xenia’s yearning for a renewed and balanced love, a sentiment that many can relate to. 

As the album progresses, Xenia takes us on a deep dive into the many facets of love. Late Night Check Up featuring American-Nigerian rapper Shalom Dubas explores late-night introspections, while Southwards with Tay Iwar delves into daydreaming about someone who may not be the right fit for her. Anticipate showcases Xenia’s vulnerability, with the haunting vocals of Karun echoing her worries about the longevity of a romantic relationship. However, in Temporary Love, she finds the courage to express her true desires and overcomes anxieties that might have held her back.

In the interlude Cheza Chini Xenia is asking her partner to safeguard their love in the privacy of their connection, echoing her desire to protect what they have. In Lowkey, Xenia explores the notion of keeping love under wraps, leading to heartfelt conversations about the need to preserve the intimacy and sanctity of relationships. The captivating journey continues with Niambie, where she flawlessly leads us through the complexities of feeling wanted in a relationship and the necessity of assurance asking her partner to proclaim their love in Swahili; “Niambie ni mimi” (Tell me I am the one).

Precious takes us on a journey of self-discovery, as Xenia realizes her self-worth within the relationship. She sets her boundaries and shows us how self-love can be the foundation for all forms of love. And finally, Love-Hate concludes the album.

Manasseh delivers an album that captures the essence of love’s highs and lows, inviting listeners to resonate with the emotions and experiences shared through her soulful music.

Tracklist:

1. GI’s Intro feat. Edgar Manasseh
2. Soul Lovers
3. Late Night Check Up feat. Shalom Dubas
4. Southwards feat. Tay Iwar
5. Anticipate feat. Karun
6. Temporary Love
7. Cheza Chini Interlude
8. Lowkey
9. Niambie
10. Precious
11. Love / Hate