Zoe Mazah – Till Then (Album Review)

Liberian-German singer-songwriter Zoe Mazah returns with Till Then, a 12-track EP layered with thumping reggae rhythms, brass accents, and soulful reflections.

The opening track, ‘A Better Place’, sets the tone with an overwhelming bassline that nearly shakes the speakers apart. Lyrically, Mazah praises an unnamed, loyal figure who makes the world feel brighter and gives her hope for the future.

This is followed by the title track, ‘Till Then’ which leans on a lighter reggae beat ornamented with a playful, sometimes piercing saxophone. Here, Mazah sings of a fire in the soul and gives thanks to Jah for life itself.

The spiritual thread continues with ‘Dear Almighty’ a duet with Quan Nelson. The singers pray for understanding, alternating between heavy percussion and softer saxophone passages. Nelson’s smooth, tender voice adds depth to the call-and-response energy of the track.

Next comes ‘Te Quiero, Te Amo’ where Mazah partners with Josh Davids. Over a steady reggae pulse and piano flourishes, she sings: ‘Take my hand and be mine.’ Later, her plea ‘don’t make me wait for your love’ recalls Bob Marley & the Wailers’ iconic “Waiting in Vain.’

On ‘Tonight’ Mazah teams up with Randy Valentine. She frames the night as one of passion, while Valentine responds with declarations of holding and cherishing his partner. The production keeps things simple, with a mid-tempo reggae beat and no saxophone this time.

‘So Alive’ stands out as one of the album’s highlights. Mazah pushes her voice forcefully yet playfully, shifting between sweet melodies and spirited skanking over a hypnotically looping beat. It’s a declaration of vitality, self-confidence, and the hopes of being someone’s ‘number one.’

The mood shifts on ‘Under Water.’ Here, a mournful guitar takes precedence over the reggae rhythm, at times eclipsing it completely. The track captures heartbreak – Mazah laments a broken promise of love, confessing she now feels submerged and unable to breathe. The interplay of the guitar and restrained beat mirrors the song’s emotional turbulence.

‘Echo Life’ strips things back further. Carried only by guitar, the song recalls Mazah’s first encounter with a lover. Its intimacy and lyrical pacing evoke Tracy Chapman’s minimalist style.

The reggae bounce resurfaces on ‘Heaven in Your Eyes.’ Despite the promising title, the lyrics don’t fully expand on the concept, leaving the track feeling underdeveloped compared to the others.

Momentum returns with ‘Watch Your Steps.’ Here, Mazah switches between singing and near-rap delivery while advising listeners to stay calm and avoid regretful choices. The track’s fusion of reggae and spoken rhythm makes it one of the most distinctive on the EP.

The project closes with two dub versions: ‘Te Quiero, Te Amo (Dub)’ featuring Casalu dub alongside Josh Davids, and “So Alive (Dub).” The latter thickens the bass to the point where every additional instrument feels submerged in its heavy pulse.

Score/Good. Till Then feels cautious. Mazah could have taken bolder risks with both her vocal delivery and production choices. Still, two tracks in particular – ‘So Alive’ and ‘Under Water’ – rise above the rest, showing that she can sing in many directions.