Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Entertainment

Muna's "Saves the World": Album Review

The dark pop trio MUNA delivers 12 tracks that are vulnerable, catchy and inspiring on their latest album, "Saves The World."

JonnaHarris

May 08, 2020

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

@MUNA on Instagram

MUNA released their sophomore album "Saves The World" back in September 2019, and I never got around to reviewing it. In my opinion, it was one of 2019's most underrated records. Unlike most artists, the album was only released digitally due to the band's belief on vinyl and cd's impact on the environment if not recycled in the future. You gotta love these environmentally friendly icons.

"Saves The World" includes 12 songs that each tell a compelling story. This album is basically a diary for lead singer, Katie Gavin. It's about constantly trying to figure out how to exist and grow as a whole individual again after heartbreak, disappointments, and mental health issues.

The album begins with "Grow" featuring the lyrics, "I want to grow up/ I want to put away my childish things/ I think that I'm ready to take this song off repeat," sung by Gavin over soft and tender piano melodies. Already, this beginning is a big difference compared to their debut album, where it started off aggressively.

But boy did the next song slap me in the face! "Number One Fan", the band's first single off the album, is a stellar electro-pop song.

"Navy Blue" is a totally emo-pop ballad. Gavin sings about a journey of self-discovery and recovery over a bed of wistful melodies and solid, deep baseline. "I'm just trying to keep my head above water," Gavin sings.

To add to the emo train, in the synth ballad "Never", Gavin swears off love and interests for good: "I don't know if I like love, I think I've had enough, seems like it's alright for some it's just I'm not one / I'll never love again / I'll never sing again."

"Taken" is the wildcard on this record. It's totally different than anything the band has ever put out. The combination of synths and acoustic guitars work so well. The lyrics are so honest- it backs up the theme of giving up on love of "Never" through a tale of wanting someone that is simply taken. "I know you said you had a girlfriend / I just thought that if I could take you from her / Maybe that it would prove that I'm worth something," she sings.

"Pink Light", "Stayaway" and "Hands Off" are in my opinion, the album's heartbreak sad-bangers. All include deep synths, driving baselines, hard snares, pulsating guitar, and cathartic vocals.

The chorus of "Pink Light" makes you want to scream the lyrics to the top of your lungs; "Maybe if you'd stay for an hour or two / When the sun came up, when I last saw you/ Maybe if you'd see the soft pink light / I wouldn't be alone tonight."

Gavin realizes in "Stayaway" that she only finds herself doing things just to see the one person that she shouldn't and she knows it's difficult to keep her distance. "Actually now that I'm thinking about it / I did most things to get to you," she reflects. "Noone ever told me leaving was the easy part / I gotta stay away."

"Hands Off" is the next part of this three-part story. With the lyrics "I see you, I see you / And it's been some time since I've seen you last / No, you can't touch, get your hands off of me," Gavin asserts herself and refuses to rekindle an old flame.

The pulsing "Memento" is a thorough story about a bee sting that Gavin got on a trip with an ex. "Something 'bout the way I had to pull it out/ Never healed quite right and now I got a scar," She sings with heavy autotune. The next line really embodies the main theme of "Saves The World"; what it means to learn from scars and turn them into something positive and worth celebrating: "I'm glad it left a mark."

The closing track "It's Gonna Be Okay, Baby" is basically an autobiography. The verse includes sad anecdotes such as: "You're gonna cut off your hair / With dull scissors from the desk in your dorm room / You're gonna move to LA / Guess you're running away from the patterns you have / Trying to find some place you can hide and get high / You're gonna think about suicide. The chorus repeats a comforting "it's gonna be okay. It's a very peaceful ending with the acapella affirmation that "it's gonna be okay."

MUNA is definitely saving and protecting pop's image. The band continues to remain on the outskirts of mainstream music. They're definitely a hidden gem. Check out the album on Youtube!

Rating: 10/10

Favorites: "Pink Light", "Stayaway"

Least Favorites: "Memento"

From Your Site Articles

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha

174

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less

class registration

Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky

781

pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

senior year

Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

Western New England University

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

Denison University

470

Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.