Album Review: MUNA - 'MUNA'
MUNA is here just in time for summer with their fierce and exhilarating self-titled album, MUNA.
Los Angeles-based indie-pop band MUNA is comprised of Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson, and Josette Maskin. Having met in college and started their musical journey together there, fast forward almost ten years later and here comes their third self-titled album from Phoebe Bridgers's record label Saddest Factory Records. With all members belonging to queer and minority communities, their music speaks out for them in celebration. With last year's release of the queer anthem, 'Silk Chiffon' Pitchfork called it a "swirl of stomach butterflies", showing the trio's power. So let your hair down and get ready to join MUNA for an epic ride.
The album begins with the flirty and nostalgic track 'Silk Chiffon' featuring Phoebe Bridgers. An opening reminiscent of Love Spit Love's cover of The Smiths 'How Soon Is Now?', the central theme of 90's fantasy drama Charmed. Distorted guitar stabs push you to the edge, but MUNA's alluring harmonies bring you back. As we reach the pre-chorus, bodies are hypnotised by the bouncy acoustic guitar as Gavin sings, "Like, life's so fun, life's so fun. Got my mini skirt and my rollerblades on" (I won't deny singing this line whilst typing it).
Disco-driven What I Want' is electric and has your head bopping from the start. Having her eye caught by a girl in the club, Gavin is unapologetic about her desires as she sings, 'I want the fireworks; I want the chemistry', showing that Gavin knows what she wants. With high synth notes tip toeing into 'Runner's High', warped synth shimmers under Gavin's echoing voice. Static beats anticipate a drop forthcoming: however they stop, not giving listeners satisfaction, keeping us hanging on.
MUNA reflects on a past relationship in the brutally honest track 'Home By Now'. Trickling synth and steady drums march in, keeping up the momentum. With a heavy heart, Gavin sings, 'These are the kinds of questions to which I've resigned my rights' as she gives up the control of her past relationship. Reminiscing, she wonders if the relationship would have worked out had they followed the same path and whether they should have kept trying.
'Kind of Girl' is the album's country moment, with layers of acoustic guitar and a soaring, plaintive The Chicks chorus; this track explores Gavin's vulnerability about her self-esteem in that she needs to be kinder to herself, stating in the chorus, 'At least I'm the kind of girl. I'm the kind of girl who thinks I can'. 'Handle Me' follows the vibe of 'Kind of Girl', with fingerstyle acoustic guitar leading us into the tender track; with distorted vocals floating around the room, you're encapsulated and transported into the mind of MUNA. 'No Idea' is lustful and sexy. Deep bass captures you into a trance and compels you to dance with MUNA, so let it happen!
Inspiring and motivational, 'Solid' kicks off with electric guitar and bouncing synth. With a girl on the move and beaming with possibilities, MUNA screams to the world that she is 'not a scene on your movie set', showing she's more powerful than people take her for. I love this track because it makes me feel unstoppable, and it's also the perfect song to walk down the street playing air guitar. Protecting themselves, MUNA offers help and support to an ex but refuses to change their true selves for another person in the refreshing summer belter 'Anything But Me'. Speaking about the track, MUNA says it's 'about leaving a partnership simply because it doesn't feel right. It's about trusting yourself and your instincts enough to walk away from someone while you still have love for each other and before it gets too bad'.
'Loose Garment' and 'Shooting Star' bring us to the album's end. Droning synth and dampened bass float under Gavin's airy voice as she sings, 'Took myself to dinner and cried about you on the way home' in 'Loose Garment'. Romantic strings swirl above and embrace you delicately, showing MUNA's vulnerability are they recollect memories of a past love. Ending the album is 'Shooting Star', lyrically my favourite track. Admiring her from afar, MUNA cannot close the distance between the two of them, as the addressee is on a different journey. Understanding how selfish it would be to knock them off course, Gavin's compelling voice sings, 'When I close the door, I wanted to turn back. I know when I see a shooting star, to stay out of its path'; so soft and calming that it could stop a thunderstorm.
Eleven songs later, I am in awe of MUNA's creativity; with so many elements in each track, this album bursts with energy. McPherson comments on the album, "I hope this album helps people connect to each other the way that we, in MUNA, have learned to connect to each other." And that is precisely how I feel. Connected with others but more importantly myself. This album is like the dream you want to revisit and lose yourself in. So grab your friends and forget about the world; MUNA is here to guarantee an incredible time.
Words by Amy Mealing
