Hendriek Bleik hits once again with his latest release, Smoorverlief — a reimagining of Riku Lätti’s 2004 song of the same name. Brooding and moody from the first listen, it feels far removed from what one might expect a typical love song to be. The title roughly translates to “madly in love,” yet the track resists sweetness, leaning instead into something darker and more complex.
Hendriek Bleik is perhaps one of the more underrated artists in South Africa right now, but he is undoubtedly someone to watch. Self-taught, self-produced, self-made — he embodies what it means to be an authentic artist. Within the Afrikaans music landscape especially, his sound feels unconventional and underrepresented, and he continues carving out a space entirely his own. Central to his work are themes of emotional intensity, isolation, and the complicated nature of love, highlighting not just its beauty but also its weight.
Speaking about his version of the song, Bleik explains: “My version explores these
same themes: how overwhelming, passionate, and sometimes painful love can be. I try
to create an underground, living atmosphere, like a warehouse space where people can
come to feel something, to process something, or simply to have an outlet for whatever
they’re carrying.”
Gritty guitar, haunting synths, and a sense of emotional weight make the track feel almost like an anti-Valentine’s song or maybe the perfect one, capturing how overwhelming love can be at times.
Bleik is not only a storyteller but a world-builder. Through sound alone, he transports the listener into something unfamiliar, almost otherworldly. His voice and production create a distinct atmosphere. Even if you don’t speak Afrikaans, you can sense that there is a story unfolding between each note and every word he sings. There is something being revealed in every breath.
Perhaps language creates a kind of distance, but here it pulls the listener closer. You begin to listen differently, tuning into mood, texture, and feeling. His sound leans into darkwave and synth-pop, giving Smoorverlief a raw, cinematic edge that lingers long after it ends.
Stream Bleik’s Smoorverlief HERE.
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