The story so far

South African singer-songwriter ARD matthews has never been one to chase what is trendy. As the frontman and principal songwriter for Just Jinjer, he built his reputation on sincerity, timeless melodies, and emotional honesty.

With his solo album, As It Should Be, ARD steps into full creative freedom, delivering a body of work that is unapologetically about love, personal expansion, and triumph over self-doubt.

Written, produced, and performed entirely by ARD, the album weaves warm acoustic textures with cinematic production and lyrical vulnerability. Songs like Back to the Water, Everyday in Every Way, and There Is Only Love reflect a deep sense of gratitude and acceptance. It is not an album about looking cool or fitting into trends. It is a record about being real, about leaning into what is true, even when it feels messy or funny or painfully human.

Each song is accompanied by an organic, home-cooked video created with his fiancée and creative partner Tanya Van Graan, who directed and edited every one. Shot in natural light and intimate spaces, the visuals extend the heart of the music. Some are emotional and poetic, while others embrace a playful, self-aware humour.

Together, these films told a continuous story that unfolded on YouTube through November 2025, before the full album reached digital platforms on 28 November 2025. This YouTube-first rollout reflects ARD's belief that a song can be heard differently when it is seen through a visual. When sound and image connect, the listener feels part of a shared, more human experience. It is art made for hearts, not algorithms.

As It Should Be stands as a defiant return to authenticity in a world where AI-generated content and superficial noise dominate. It is honest, raw, occasionally tongue-in-cheek, and full of acceptance. Following his SAMA-winning album Impossible Machines (2018), this record marks a new chapter of creative freedom and emotional truth.

As ARD puts it: "This album is me saying thank you, for everything that's come, everything that's gone, and everything that's still on its way."