MonkeyRat - '‘U Gotta Love Being U’

Review by Matt Wong & Staff

Anna Iachino, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and of Italian descent, is the songwriter, vocalist, rapper, spoken word artist, poet, dancer, and storyteller with a comical bent. Arnold Ludvig, from the Faroe Islands, is the composer, arranger, and award-winning virtuoso bass player. Together, they are a dynamic husband and wife team and the creators of MonkeyRat. MonkeyRat delivers multi-genre music rooted mainly in Funk. The band was formed in Copenhagen, Denmark with award winning guitarist, Alain Apaloo from Togo, Africa and superb Danish drummer Jens Stoklund. MonkeyRat released their 2010 debut album, Fuck The Jante Law followed by Sunshine in 2012 to great reviews and many #1 hits. In 2016, 4 digital singles were released with The Hentze Horns and received international radio airplay. Get into The Light, MonkeyRat's first hip-hop/gospel collaboration with Debbie Cameron, Deborah Herbert, and Joanita Zachariasen was released in 2018 with resounding success. On March 20, 2020, MonkeyRat started the year with their hit single, "Good Morning Reykjavík", a real funky dance number with a comical spin on the infectious chorus. "U Gotta Love Being U", is MonkeyRat's first pop/singer-songwriter/folk pop, single and Anna's first co-written song with Hans Andrias Jacobsen and Beinir Troest Rasmussen. In these dark and uncertain times, U Gotta Love Being U lifts the spirit and raises the vibration spreading a message of positivity and love.

“U Gotta Love Being U” begins with bass and drums setting up a laid back, yet solid groove, and acoustic and electric guitars playing a hook on the intro. The vocals enter on the first hook, "I would like to spread positivity To the world and all of humanity." Alain Apaloo is extraordinary as the featured artist on the track. The pre-chorus sees the guitar parts playing with more space and elongated notes, giving the vocal, and overall arrangement room to breathe. The overall vibe is upbeat and uplifting.

The chorus returns the guitar to the driver’s seat rhythmically, adding attitude to the song. The chorus also features nicely executed background vocals that add width to the mix. The song ends with an instrumental section similar to the intro with extra tasty guitar licks.

The poignant and powerful lyrics in “U Gotta Love Being U” contain an inspirational message for listeners. The first lyric listeners hear is “I would like to spread positivity to the world and all of humanity” and this is because “All this worldly discontent and futile discord needs redemption, hope, and harmony.” The second verse goes on to remind listeners that they need to “lend a helping hand to all suffering people in every land.” In addition, “it is time to heal ourselves with tenderness…mend our wounds with loving care and gentleness.”

The song promotes unity and harmony in the context of loving who you are.

“U Gotta Love Being U” by MonkeyRat ft. Alain Apaloo is a powerful and moving song. Driven by a solid groove, the song pulls listeners in with a memorable melody, and meaningful lyrics. With a well constructed arrangement and fantastic performance, the song shines and uplifts listeners.

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For more information on MonkeyRat, please visit them on Reverbnation.

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