published on
Monique Barry Finds the Dual Nature of the Musical Single
Good things come in pairs, the saying goes. Never one to do the expected, singer-songwriter Monique Barry gives us her musical take on this notion by releasing two new songs as one single.
The dual release begins with Gone, Monique’s exploration of emotional loss and betrayal experienced for the first time. “It’s cold since you are gone,” she sings, her lyrics gently rising through an otherworldly soundscape as she describes the disillusionment when a beloved figure is finally seen with all flaws and failings revealed. As she confronts the journey from idealistic loyalty to emotional defeat, she sings of being “lost in freedom’s arms,” a description that might apply to both the betrayer and herself, but with entirely different meanings. While the song progresses, her voice, floating through echoing instrumental layers, takes on the blending qualities of wounded chanting and a faraway adult lullaby.
Searching through the journey from idealism to disappointment, Monique takes the themes and emotional dynamics of 'Gone' into the musical hooks and catchy sonic quirks of the second single 'Eagles'. Starting with the multi-atmospheric weave of instrumental rustlings, vibrations, and nudging drumbeats, Monique’s voice soars above it all, taking its own form of flight. Musical ripples, splinters, and crashes, all of it both jittery and relaxing, build as Monique’s singing ascends in pitch, becoming airborne and birdlike, taking the listener along on her creative search of freedom and defeat.
Ultimately the two songs flow into each other, both thematically and musically, each leading the other into a unified vision. While providing vocals and performing on keyboards, Monique is joined by Michael Wojewoda on drums, as well as coproducing and mixing; Marc Merilainen on guitar; and Alisdair Jones on bass.
- Genre
- Rock