MONKyMAN Asks “What About Love” In New Album
In times of worldwide chaos and social disconnect, electronic-pop artist MONKyMAN is opting to center love. In his latest album, “What About Love,” released on October 10, the up-and-coming artist blends lo-fi and afro-house beats to deliver a downtempo album full of optimism. One that, by the end of it, listeners too are inclined to ask the question that’s given this album its name, finding that love is the universal answer during troubling times. And, reminding those that even when we’re at our lowest points, our final resort and ask should be, what about love?
Born in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and now based in Berlin, MONKyMAN’s music has caught the attention of listeners from around the globe since his debut EP, “Marula Magic” in 2019. From performing live sets in Egypt, Paris, Thailand, New York, etc. to taking over the stage at music festivals including the Apple Tree Garden Festival and the Fusion Festival, MONKyMAN is constantly evolving.
It was his time in Namibia during his formative years, however, that engulfed him in the world of music when at just fourteen years old, the artist began making beats through Fruity Loops. Now, drawing inspiration from an array of artists like Sun Ra, Quincy Jones, SAULT, and Nina Simone, MONKyMAN has been able to cultivate his own sound that represents a hope towards a brighter tomorrow.
The album opens with its namesake title, “What About Love,” which features musician Ibon Goitia, and calls on the issues facing reality. The softness of MONKyMAN’s voice over the quiet instrumental that builds throughout the song makes for a calm reflection on the love drought happening around the world. In the lyrics, he states, “What about love? What about the world? What about the f****d up sh*t going on every day? It feels like the goddamn lemon will never be lemonade. Rich white man turn their back on us, those people so fake!” Calling out the unchanging atrocities people bear witness to every day.
This questioning of love resonates with the artist heavily as he’s spoken out about social issues on social media, even sharing a post to Instagram on July 18 that asked that the children and families in places including southern Syria, Congo, Gaza, and Sudan be allowed to live. Towards the end of the song, he repeats “What about love? It’s all about love,” reminding listeners that creating a love ethic will allow for an appreciation of life and all the things that find us while we’re in it.
In “Hambelela,” which translates to “praise the lord” in Oshiwambo, a native Namibian language, and features the voice of artist Vaudeni, MONKyMAN goes back to his music-making roots and days in the Namibian sun. The spiritual cadence of Vaudeni’s voice, along with that of the drums, creates a pulsating rhythm that keeps the song breathing. Calm, but commanding in its essence, the song immediately places listeners in a tranquil state. “Celebration” continues that passion with its illuminating flow, making for a peaceful anthem that bursts in spirit.
“Interest” is a colorful track that is reminiscent of the fun found in falling head over heels for someone. The bounciness of the beat flutters through the song like the butterflies that build up in our bellies when an affection we have for someone takes over our bodies, making everything sweet and rosy.
“Shivers,” featuring multidisciplinary artist Coco Elane, is an emotive, grunge-like track that ushers a gritty shift in energy. Elane, whose voice echoes with transcendence and compliments the mellow vocals given by MONKyMAN, creates an earthy stillness you can sink your feet into, exist in, and really feel. Moving on to funky synths and boppy beats, MONKyMAN turns up the fun in “F*****g With Jesus” which again features Goitia. It’s a breathy song you can’t help but nod your head to.
The final song, “Better in Love,” answers the question listeners started with in the very beginning, confirming that things are better when we accept and give love. With jazzy undertones mixed with an electric flair, the song fully encompasses the feeling of upliftment. With an explosion of sound towards the end of the song, there is nothing but feel-good vibrations that course through its veins.
MONKyMAN’s “What About Love” offers a beautiful perspective on life and love in a way that words can’t always entirely describe. Through passion-filled rhythms and vocals of guidance, listeners are taken on a journey towards hope, purposefulness, and strength– leaving ears with the idea that even when the world seems to be rotten, we should rise above it and make an impact centered in love.
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