MUNA - the meaning laced queer indie electro-pop band you should give a listen

In 2016, during my normal discovery playlist on Spotify, I heard a bop I couldn’t get out of my head.  No, it wasn’t Shura, or Madonna, or Avril, it was a wonderful compound.  Personal, understated and addictive.

What you've done to meWell I've seen many a friend be silencedThinking nobody would believe themWell baby you've got another thing comingYou can try to make me stop, call it delusionBut every time I don't shut up, it's revolution;MUNA – Loudspeaker

I think we’ve all been here.  One of those moments where you are you feeling yourself and you can’t let it go. When someone doesn’t love you the way a partner should and therefore, stunts your expression.  "I am a loudspeaker".  It was a recipe for love immediately.  An 80’s electro indie – pop band comprised of three queer girls. 

The first EP was magical.  If I thought it was a fluke, I was quickly proved wrong.  “Winterbreak" is nothing if not magical.  Delicate and painful at the same time, you can slide into the ethereal notes for hours.  I had this song on repeat for months.  Let’s not forget “So Special”, a slightly bitter of a girlfriend scorned combined with an up-backbeat.   MUNA has two vibes.  Upbeat and tragic and devastatingly sad but real a.f.  Coincidentally, both song types are packaged in a syrupy, irresistible melody.  

Oh, baby I think we both knowThis is a love that we won't get rightStill if you said that you wantedI know I'll always have one more try;MUNA – Winterbreak

Guess I'm gonna find another bride Guess I'll see you in another life Guess I'm gonna tell one more lie Im surprised You don't wanna stay by my side;MUNA – So Special

The full album, “About U” was released in 2017 to my pure enjoyment.  It remains to be one of the CD’s I can listen full circle without pressing pause.  “I Know a Place” is probably the most upbeat song I’ve heard from MUNA. Still, there are hints of pain in there, but it’s not nearly as pronounced as the chorus picks up.  Packaged in the euphoric chorus are words of empathy for a battered past repeated attempts at encouraging a partner to bust down those walls.  Similarly, “End Of Desire” hits these mildly hopeful vibes of a hopeful romantic latched on to a loved one, hoping for a happy ending.  “Are you taking me to the end of desire?  Are you taking me home?”  The distinct thing about MUNA is their ability to understate even the most powerful emotions.  

I know a place (ooh)I know a place we can go (yeah)Where everyone gonna lay down their weaponLay down their weaponJust give me trust and watch what'll happen;MUNA – I Know a Place

Undeniably, my favorite MUNA songs have to be those tragically honest ones that get to the core of what so many of us experience in our lives.  Perhaps these songs just channel the darkness that I feel and allow some of those feelings to rise and escape, although in short moments.  Many of the music videos from the About U era left a lot to be desired, however, they were not bad considering the likely budget.  Crying on the bathroom floor is epic.  Addictive hook and understated vocals coupled with an incredibly poignant message.  How many are in unhealthy relationships with partners who have no idea how to give them what they need?  How many don’t even know that they are in a tragic relationship based on childhood codependency?  How many of us could do better if we just believed we deserved more?

I'm crying on the bathroom floor(Give me some more)Tearing off the dress I wore, I wonderIf I could ever ask for more(Would you give me some more)If I'm never gonna ask for more from a lover;MUNA – Crying on the Bathroom Floor

These epiphanies resonate throughout the “About U” album.  Moments of painful realization regarding romantic relationships are scattered throughout in what feels much more like an audiobook than an album.  

There's me in the corner throwing a fitMaking a mess of itDon't you love me now?There's me under the table, hiding from myLovers and my alliesDon't you love me now?;MUNA – If U Love Me Now

Perhaps one of the most flamboyant songs on the album, the heavy “Around U”, MUNA speaks of breaking chains from a past relationship.  The thought of the world, seemingly going on around them as one realizes they are finally disconnected from a broken relationship.

All senses say, nothing has changed The soft lines from the streetlights fall the same on my face But something massive happened here I can feel it in the atmosphere Something false that once was true I no longer revolve around you;MUNA – Around U

In 2019, MUNA released “Saves the World”, which is a more balanced reflection of one’s life.  These songs are both deeply personal and in keeping with MUNA’s melodramatic style.  The first song, Grow”, emits an intense desire to mature, to grow personally and move beyond a lifestyle of partying and numbing oneself.

I want to grow upI want to put away my childish thingsI think that I'm ready to take this song off repeatI want to grow upI'm tired of the party gamesI'm calling their bluffThey always turn out the same;MUNA – Grow

“Number One Fan” is sarcastic, upbeat and addictive.  The song sits in deep contrast to the first song due to its childishly hopeful and magnetic sound.   Beyond this façade, this tracks really illustrates the familiar notion that we must all be our own biggest fans, always. This album wasn’t all about personal maturity though.  MUNA slips into familiar relationship woes with songs like “Stayaway”, which tells the difficult story from staying away from a partner who is pervasive in one’s mind.  One must physically quarantine themselves to stay away from those memories. 

“Navy Blue” is probably my favorite song on the album.  Everything about it is gorgeous.  The lyrics are Godly and humble, the melody is irresistible and the pain is so understated.  Everyone knows the pain of letting go of a past relationship and trying to distract themselves with mundane activities. Haunting and gorgeous.

Took a train to a friend's house, feeling shaken Seems like you somehow turn up when I'm at my weakest Don't know what to say, so leave it blank like silence Go back home and wait for some new change that's comingI'm just trying to keep my head above water Giving up sleep and drink enough waterI'm so navy blue I'm so navy blue I'm so navy blue over you;MUNA – Navy Blue

The emotional rollercoaster doesn’t end there, with about a toxic relationship infused with daddy-problems in “Taken”.  Another melodically gorgeous song with a tragic message.  So many of us have broken relationships because we were unable to address our childhood shame and trauma.  Those of us who are not used to healthy relationships find it difficult to seek them out.

If I could take it from herMaybe then it would prove that I'm worth somethingNow I'm alone and I'm hurtWishing I'd taken you at your wordWhen you said that you were taken;MUNA - Taken

The album concludes to a hopeful message to a younger version of herself “It’s Gonna Be Okay, Baby”.  Brutally honest concessions to a bruised child who is learning how to come into herself. 

You're gonna cut off your hairWith dull scissors from the desk in your dorm roomLearn by trial and errorThat threesomes are more sad than funYou're gonna move to LAGuess you're running away from the patterns you haveAnd the decisions that you've madeYeah, you're gonna sit in the sun;MUNA – It’s Gonna Be Okay, Baby

With brutal honesty, relatable subject matter, and irresistible electro-pop vocals, MUNA is a keeper and I’m sure will light up my playlist for years to come.  Give them a chance to light up yours too.

Favorite Tracks of All Time (so far):

·         Winterbreak

·         Navy Blue

·         Taken

·         Loudspeaker

·         Pink Light

·         Crying On The Bathroom Floor

·         If U Love Me Now