Lush new vibes from Australian artist Monstrous bring a calming organic blend of subtle jazz, funk and dreamy trip hop. With intimate vocal depth and quiet reflections on life and the self, Underground is a catchy and distinct symphony of riffs and moments, and it softly contemplates then brightens throughout a smooth and satisfying post-five-minute mix.
Subtle effects and interesting songwriting, a certain artistic realism and humility that lets mood and momentum carry things – Monstrous captures a nostalgic sense of groove and wonder here, and if you let the soundscape play, it calms the space effectively. However, if you tune in closely, it provides something of a more meditative experience – quiet whispers of scenes and feelings, playful changes in direction, a strength of movement and adlib instrumentalism, all united as an honest expression of love for the process, for music, and for this intriguing consideration of an underground for the sunshine.
Released as part of a three-track EP, Underground is followed by the sonically more electrified tempo and storytelling of Every Day on the Run. This higher-octane track is still gentle, intimate and reflective, but the change in pace is welcomed, and the sudden urgency and passion, the looping title, all brings a level of intensity that’s modest but enchanting as it pours through the airwaves.
The project also includes an In The Woods Remix of Underground, which adds something of a summertime twist to the original track, and compliments the nuance and character of Matthew Macaulay’s (Mounstrous’) unique voice.
The lyrics are almost diary-like throughout this release, poetic and personal in equal parts, the voice raspy and strained but satisfying, interesting, and the music has a jazz-like freedom to it; which cleverly compliments this stream-of-consciousness process perfectly well.
Find Monstrous on Instagram, Bandcamp or visit QueensberryRecords.com.
