Coconut Rootz returns with the island fusion record “What Makes Us Shine,” a reggae-rooted act flying the flag for Malawi’s music scene. The song arrives as part of the album Coconut Rootz, which dropped on April 3, 2026. It sits second on the tracklist, right after “Can I Keep You” and before “Better Than This.”
For this one, the collective handles vocals and songwriting themselves. No outside features crowd the arrangement, so the group carries the melody alone. Yet that solo vocal run works in its favour, because the harmonies stay warm and controlled throughout. Gentle acoustic guitar strums and snappy percussion shakers build a relaxed mid-tempo groove. A rolling bassline and soft keyboard progressions sit underneath without overpowering the mix.
That sound fits neatly into a catalogue that keeps widening. Recent releases include the album Don’t Make Me Guess, the EP Sweet Love, and the EP My Everything. The act moves between reggae, Caribbean rhythms, and acoustic-led fusion, so “What Makes Us Shine” is another step in that range.
The songwriting centres on self-discovery and self-worth, with a message about sharing good energy with the people around you.
Have you streamed “What Makes Us Shine” yet? Drop your thoughts in the comment section below.
