Alternative pop trio, Muna, has made a comeback after 4 years off with their fourth studio album release Dancing On The Wall. After success with their self-titled album, Muna has redefined their sound with an alternative dance pop, 13 track record. Produced entirely by band member Naomi McPherson – this album encompasses crying in the club and is truly perfect for wallowing in self-pity to a fire beat.
Opening song ‘It Gets So Hot’ puts this record’s sound into words. It really gets so hot. The listening experience is sweaty, from sobbing yourself to sleep and/or dancing way too hard. It extends into the title track which exemplifies partying through the pain. The chorus is the push and pull of a deteriorating relationship, and they playfully embody this feeling.
‘Eastside Girls’ tells the story of the most sort after women in LA. Katie Gavin – the lead vocalist – really sells these girls as being the coolest, best type of woman. The vocals have ebbs and flows that melt into the intense beat in the backing track. This yearning continues into their third single for this cycle ‘Wannabeher’; this punchy track personifies the unknowing feeling as a queer person where you don’t know if you want to be with them or be them. Sonically, ‘Wannabeher’ really stands out, with drastic vocal changes from the verses to the chorus – this one’s a hit. Pop ballad ‘On Call’ is setting us up for a yearning-girl-summer. It’s fresh, it’s fun, and it’s the nicest ear worm to date.
The second single in this release, ‘So What’, is a stand out song for me. This track chases the party high while living in shadowing loneliness. It’s laughing through the pain of disinterest and the sinking feeling that your problems are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. ‘So What’ is a tear jerker hidden behind 118BPM.
If you’re a fan of a political track, ‘Big Stick’ is the one for you. Speaking on fame with a critical lens proves Muna is on the right side of history. The pre-chorus lyric “I can make you want anything that I want you to” mocks the state of politics in our currently climate, with references to the Palestinian genocide, US’s foreign policy, and ICE.
If you’ve ever lost an ex to a bong, ‘Mary Jane’ is for you. It’s that feeling of watching someone you love drift off down a path of no return. ‘Girl’s Girl’ has bouncy guitar riffs from lead guitarist Josette Maskin and is all about “[laughing] so hard [you] cry about” unrequited crushes. At 172BPM, ‘Why Do I Get A Good Feeling’ is a rapid beat to the pain of should’ve/could’ve regrets.
‘Buzzkiller’ ends the album off with the doom and despair of being the wet blanket. Blasted with synths, this lack of conclusion makes you restart the record, just to feel the high of those first few tracks again. So yearn, cry, dance, laugh, and, stream Muna.
