Over the weekend, Arusha based production duo Put 2 Sleep released a new single titled Take A Picture featuring Dar Es Salaam songstress Naomisia and Nairobian Vallerie Muthoni. Recorded remotely during quarantine, Take A Picture is a sparse, laid-back love song anchored by staccato strings and decorated with a wedding reception saxophone. It starts strong with buttery vocals from Naomisia on the verse into a catchy hook. Muthoni - usually an emcee - leans into her RnB bag delivering a melodic and infectious second verse. At times, the track feels empty, yearning perhaps for a keyboard of synth. While the laidback rhythm section sets a sufficient tone for the verses, when the chorus hits, it doesn’t feel quite as grand or dance-ready as it could. Even still, Take A Picture is a promising testament to the growing spirit of collaboration among East Africa’s rising talents. Kwikiwiri of Put2sleep confirms the centrality of regional collaboration in the duo’s musical ethos. It’s “very important,” he says. “We get to understand their industry and perspective on the creative process in general.”

Listen to Take A Picture on Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack and other major streaming platforms.