Mønevann - 'Dear Defeat'
Norwegian six-piece band Mønevann fight back against depression, grief and loss on poignant single, ‘Dear Defeat’.
Incessant and ironically upbeat electronics introduce the listener to Mønevann’s , ‘Dear Defeat’, juxtaposing the feelings of sadness and despondency in the lyrical theme as lead singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer Kim Erik Berg explains:
"I started writing this song back in July 2015 few days after my brother chose to take himself out. You, everyone, myself, got their own individual ways to deal with sorrow. ‘Dear Defeat’ has since then been the flagship among myriads of self-composed anthems against depression, against grief, after the loss of a brother and its following events. In other words - a way for me to fight back against it all. I'm hoping that it will inspire someone out there”.
’Dear Defeat’ soon flourishes into an emo tinged cinematic, alternative pop tune of monumental beauty. In parts it reminded me of a Straylight Run - ‘Existentialism On a Prom Night’ as it floods its listener with waves of carthasis through fluttering keys, gorgeous strings , steady percussion and a soothing, anthemic-leaning hook. But there’s also a math rock-esque vibe to the track, seeing weighty, twirly guitar chords hazily cry out from thunderous dynamic percussive arrangements, never allowing its listener to get too settled, always switching tempo and tone and the song features an intricate and intelligently placed instrumental to wordlessly work through your feelings alongside.
In ’Dear Defeat’ , Mønevann weave melancholia through upbeat and tenderly crafted, sporadic, arrangements. It’s an unpredictable, unshackled song that punches you in the gut with its emotion, but ultimately leaves its listener with a smile on their face. Mønevann offer comfort by reminding their listener that often we may feel alone in our suffering, when really we are united by similar universal pains, and how important it is to keep fighting on, which is represented in the heartfelt lyrics, “I’ll sing it out, dear defeat, you won’t be owning me, I will make ends meet”. A resilient and determined song where the uplifting energy is contagious.
Words of Karla Harris
Mønevann is Simen Tjora (guitar/banjo), Lars Håvard Myklatun (guitar/lapsteel), Kim Erik Berg (guitar/vocals), Christian Moe Bråttvik (piano/keys), Jarle Skår Nor (bass) and Hans Marius Indahl (drums).