New Music Review #23: ‘Freak Like Me’ by Munan
‘Weirdness’ is a relative term. It’s comparative by design. For something to be ‘weird’, it needs to be different to whatever is considered non-weird. ‘Normal’, if you will.
But I’ve always believed that everyone, and everything, is a little weird. Everyone has their quirks, their eccentricities, the odd little things that make them who they are. And life, then, is the process of embracing your own version of weird, and finding the group of weirdos that embrace you for that.
I’d like to think Munan, an emerging South Korean-Australian indie-pop artist, would agree with that. His new track, ‘Freak Like Me’, would seem to suggest so.
‘Freak Like Me’ is an encouragement to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider: Embrace your difference. Keep going. Your people are out there, and they’re looking for you.
This is a great track, an outstanding new addition to the thriving canon of Australian psychedelic pop. An undercurrent of sun-drenched synths and pulsing drums, combined with Munan’s sublime falsetto, creates a woozy, coastal vibe that feels cosy and welcoming. It’s a delightful cruise through colours and textures, through fresh cut grass and blooming flowers and ocean breeze. Created on an old school reel-to-reel tape machine, it’s a sonic experience to be relished.
When Tame Impala first emerged in 2008, they sounded different to most of what was on the radio at the time. But as Kevin Parker embraced his eccentricities and blazed his singular path, he opened the door for Australian psychedelic indie-pop to become a joy for the masses. And now artists like Parcels, The Grogans, Velvet Trip and, of course, Munan can create in freedom, safe in the knowledge that an audience is out there.
Everyone finds their community eventually, no matter how weird.
And a few others:
‘LALAKI’ by BVT: This is some extremely impressive shit. The beat is insidious, stalking, downright scary. And then the flow hits and the tone shifts. BVT is empowered and inspired, spitting bilingual bars with menace and grace. A super exciting new talent.
‘Big Plan’ by Hannah McKittrick: Simple, delicate piano is all it takes to lay a perfect platform for Hannah McKittrick’s crystal clear voice and elegiac poetry. You’ll hang off every last dangling syllable.
‘Get Inspired’ by Genesis Owusu: Recently named ACT Young Australian of the Year, Genesis Owusu is a gift who continues his run as the current undisputed king of Australian hip hop. This new one is a groovy, New Wave-influenced bop that wears its 80s flavour on its sleeve as his clever rhymes flow over warbly synths and a driving beat.