Time for our first cut of the top 20...
20. MUNA - So Special
Average: 8.34
High: 10 x 13 (
@Alouder98 @2014 @Sanctuary @JapaneseJesus @LE0Night @Petty Mayonnaise @Animalia @Joe. @sfmartin @Jonathan27 @NecessaryVoodoo @Fantasy @kalonite)
Low: 5 x 1 (
@enjoy)
My score: 10
10 voters in: 16
20 voters in: 17
30 voters in: 21
40 voters in: 16
50 voters in: 15
60 voters in: 21
As I mentioned in the Hard Feelings/Loveless write-up, this song only beat the former by 0.004 points in potentially the closest point difference in the entire rate. This song repeatedly jumped in and out of the top 20 between places #15 and #21, before settling at #20 after I finally added my scores at the end of the voting period. Despite starting strongly, it basically stopped receiving 10s in the last 15-or-so ballots, apart from mine - where as its counterparts in the top 20 were snatching those top marks 'til the end.
In yet another unpopular opinion, I prefer this to Loudspeaker and would've rather this went a bit further than the latter, which seems to be universally adored. I have always had an affinity for opening tracks, especially for those that set the tone for the rest of the album as perfectly as this song does. The darkness of the production, the yearning in Katie's delivery and the anthemic, shout-along chorus only goes to seal the deal for me. The lyrics are...pretty bleak actually, seeped in regret and frustration; this is basically Katie beating herself up and questioning her self-worth for four minutes. Also, if "
I think about the time I went down on you at the gallery" isn’t the most white queer hipster lyric ever, I don’t know what is. Sasha Velour found wilting. Milk found curdled.
As I'm sure most of you are aware, MUNA gave the queers everything they wanted by creating lyric/music videos for every track on the album (your fave wishes), which were released every Tuesday and Thursday in the run-up to the release of
About U. So Special's was the first to be released, and also happens to be my favourite. About the song and the project itself, the band shared the following quote with The Fader:
This project, whilst technically a compilation of lyric videos, hopes more largely to portray the vulnerabilities and complexities of the album in visual portraits of simple and diverse human experiences. Whether it's blowing off steam after a hard shift or getting in the zone to create something, we want people to use this album. We want people to make this album about them."
Woah,
mokitsu (6). Time out, hold up. Hold up, sweetheart. Let's get it together before you wanna read. ‘
Okay, the lack of comments for this album is because every song kinda sounds the same? There's not much to say. It's cute synthpop, but I feel like it's being done by 30 artists right now.’ Okay, name them, bitch.
Happiestgirl (7) also seems to not really ~get~ MUNA: '
I gave this song a 5 at first but it’s kind of a grower. My main problem with almost all of MUNA’s songs is that they seem a bit tuneless and off in parts.' It’s called PASSION.
Cassava (7):
'I actively enjoy this song but some of the vocal takes are an acquired taste.' Well in that case...Oprah_ILikeIt.gif.
As if About U isn’t gay enough,
Trouble In Paradise (7) has ideas:
A great opener, though I wish the lyrics actually said “Guess I’m gonna find another bride”.
Michael17 (7.5):
Some of the atmospheric elements are nice. Sounds a bit basic at times, though. Nice percussion and guitars. Basic? I said bitch where?
Stradiwhovius (8) was sold:
I wasn't familiar with MUNA but this was a great introduction. Melodic, rockin, and paints a rounded picture
If So Special was a book,
Bangers&Bops (8) has written the perfect blurb:
Protective costumes and excuses for shitty behavior are shed and MUNA eviscerates their target with sharp precision.
Bleedingheart80 (8) had
'never noticed it before, but I definitely notice Katie's unique pronunciations of certain words. The music in this song can best be described as cool. It puts me in a good and relaxing mood.'
For
Remourque (8.5),
'it's very refreshing hearing an album opener mentioning queer sex and the singer's own shitty behaviour other than the other way around... With its backdrop of synths and Katie's vocals not sounding shitty, it's a winner.' Well not quite, but #20 is still pretty good, eh?
Slaybellz (9) had a similar line in his mind:
'"I think about the time I went down on you at the gallery" I chuckle at this line every single time.' Same tbh, it’s ridiculous.
ufint (9) thinks it's
'such a wonderful album opener. Two brilliant choruses, the second even better than the first. Who could ask for more?' Well, MUNA themselves, because you didn’t give this a 10.
Unsurprisingly, the one person who unironically likes Katie’s pronunciations is
Jackarywoo (9):
This is a solid album opener, but nothing special. I was going to give it an 8, but had to add an extra point for the pronunciation of LOIE.
sfmartin (10) is right there singing along with me:
What an opener. Sets the murky sensual obsessional tone of the album. The chorus is so uplifting I love it. I can’t help but sing along at the top of my lungs.
Kalonite (10) loves '
how this is a song and its reprise with inverted lyrics all rolled up in one. And it's such a tune that I didn't even notice how bleak it was until I really properly listened.'
With no 11-givers, we'll close with
Fantasy (10), who hailed it
'an incredible opening song for an incredible album. I love the balance between the dream-like 80’s pop synths and the electric guitars. It has a very dark vibe and yet the chorus still has this cheerful and upbeat aura around it.'
