So Many Ways (MONOGEM album) – Queen City Sounds and Art

MONOGEM_AveryWheless_lg — MONOGEM, photo by Avery Wheless

The new MONOGEM single “Soy Lo Que Soy” is a sultry electronic pop homage to one’s roots and heritage. The accents of synth arpeggio, shakers and Latin rhythms with the Spanish language lyrics (the title translates to “I Am What I Am”) defies easy categorization. It’s a downtempo song with a sound palette different from what we’re used to hearing in that style of music. It’s also a break from the lush and hazy, soulful synth pop that MONOGEM has released thus far. But as with her other songs, on “Soy Lo Que Soy” MONOGEM makes expert use of space. The vocals sit just right in the mix, the aforementioned arpeggios are quick and just as quickly decay in fast echo. The songwriting gives you the room to take it in on its terms and your own, meeting you partway by leaving the emotional and sonic space in its dynamics. The song was inspired by MONOGEM’s abuela Hortensia to never stop speaking Spanish and holding onto the culture. And thus aside from the language in the song and the touchstones of Latin music, its deeply introspective tones and sonic economy suggests some interesting directions of groth for the artist. Listen to “Soy Le Que Soy” on Soundcloud and look for MONOGEM’s full-length So Many Ways due out October 18. Follow MONOGEM at the links below.