Acclaimed South African singer-songwriter Kahn Morbee, best known as the charismatic frontman of The Parlotones, returns to his solo roots with the release of his brand-new EP, “Buzzhead”, available now across all digital platforms.
A New Chapter: Life in the Netherlands and Creative Growth
Following his critically praised 2021 solo album A World At Suicide, Kahn enters a fresh creative phase with Buzzhead. Now based in the Netherlands and working out of his self-built DIY home studio, the EP represents both a milestone in self-reliance and a bold experiment in sonic exploration.
“I’m constantly writing,” says Kahn. “This journey has been about refining my engineering and producer skills. Moving to the Netherlands gave me the chance to build a little home studio and learn how to truly capture the emotion and feel of my songs. Collaborating with a local guitarist/producer also helped speed up the process. There’s never just one moment of inspiration—I create all the time, and when something feels right, I release it.”
Themes and Sound: A Deeply Personal Journey
Buzzhead is a six-track EP that navigates themes of nostalgia, mortality, youth, and the bittersweet chaos of life. The project blends Kahn’s lyrical depth with sonic experimentation, showcasing his evolution not only as a songwriter but also as a producer in his own right.
Track by Track: The Stories Behind Buzzhead
“Look At Us Now”
A raw reflection on aging, disillusionment, and the gap between youthful dreams and adult realities. The track offers an honest meditation on the façades we wear while grappling with feelings of purposelessness.
“Afterglow”
A poetic exploration of life’s highs and lows—tragedy and euphoria—and the beauty found in nostalgic memories. “Afterglow” encourages growth through adversity and inspires listeners to dream boldly, even when the path is uncertain.
“Buzzhead”
The title track is sonically playful and lyrically freeform, featuring a new fingerpicking pattern and stream-of-consciousness lyrics. It closes with a musing on mortality, inspired by Atticus and Neil Young’s famous quote: “It’s better to burn out than fade away.”
“Mad Summer”
A nostalgic ode to carefree summer nights spent with friends, solving life’s mysteries under starry skies. Though fleeting, these moments live on forever in memory.
“Tragedy of Life”
Arguably the emotional centerpiece of the EP, this track confronts the painful but universal experience of letting go—of people, memories, youth, love, and fear. It’s a poignant reminder of how loss shapes who we become.
“It All Makes No Sense”
A chaotic, self-aware track that embraces its own fragmented nature. With shifting tempos and themes, it even includes a personal shoutout to Kahn’s sons, who have claimed it as their favorite. Initially rejected by The Parlotones, the song finds a fitting home on “Buzzhead” as a testament to Kahn’s creative freedom.
Balancing a Solo Career and The Parlotones Legacy
While continuing his celebrated two-decade journey with The Parlotones—one of South Africa’s most iconic rock bands—Kahn views his solo work as a parallel creative outlet.
“Some songs I send to the band will become Parlotones tracks, others they’ll reject and I’ll release myself,” he says. “Fans will love some, hate some—but that’s part of the beauty. We create because we love the process, not for validation.”
Buzzhead Marks a Bold New Chapter for Kahn Morbee
With Buzzhead, Kahn Morbee reaffirms his place as one of South Africa’s most respected and fearless musical voices. This is music for the thinkers, the feelers, the broken, and the brave—another powerful chapter in his ever-evolving story.
You can stream/download the EP HERE.
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