#MUZEMONDAZE: WEEK 21

AN EXCLUSIVE WEEKLY COLUMN BY ITEM MAGAZINE, OFFERING AN ARRAY OF NEWLY SELECTED UNDERGROUND & MAINSTREAM MUSIC TO BRING MUSE TO YOUR MONDAYS!

BY CONTRIBUTOR TRE FLOREZ
​1. Freak - Victoria Monet
At the end of February 2018,  R&B underdog from Sacramento, CA, Victoria Monet, released her latest work, Life After Love, Part 1. The nine track album has no features (not that it really needs any in the first place) and focuses on post love feelings. 

As an independent artist, she originally befriended Ariana Grande in their younger years, which helped her land a spot to open for Grande herself during her Dangerous Woman World Tour, as well as for Fifth Harmony and JoJo in 2017. 

A noticeable favorite track titled, “Freak”, immediately caught our attention as soon as the beat began. With a bass-strum heavy rhythm and a soft, slow progression in Monet’s voice – the song is sexy – but is mainly about getting an answer out of her love interest.

​ In the first verse, she sings:

“I've been feeling a way
About the way you make way
For all them other girls but me
You said I was the one
And you would ride until we die
But now you acting differently”

Essentially, saying ‘you give all these other girls your time and other things, but you said I was the one? Oh, okay then. Let me flip the script.’ Monet continues with the chorus by reassuring her man that he can have whatever he wants with her:

“Do you want a freak?
Is that what you need?
Do you want a freak?
'Cause that's what I'ma be,”

Other noticeable tracks from the album include: Wish I Never Met You, Let Her Go, and Ten New Friends.

2. Cold War - Cautious Clay
Cautious Clay, an up-and-coming 24-year-old artist from New York, has recently released his first EP, by the name of Blood Type. It is a collection of songs that were previously released and now can all be found in one full presentation. The genre is Indie/Alternative, but his current music mood could also fit into admirers of R&B and Soul. 

The leading single, Cold War, is a play on the silent treatment after an argument. It’s much like the Cold War of the sixties; sometimes the silence can last a while before someone finally gives in and says the first word. The track has a very smooth sound, that features Clay’s very soft and genuine voice. Plus, it is accompanied by a steady upbeat bassline, which carries a slight chill-out essence to it.

The second verse and the chorus really do define the song:

[Verse Two]
​“So leave it on the table if ya' hot & bothered
(And) Tell me if you mean it baby, you's the father
Stories of a land you divide and conquer
You really showing me the meaning of losing offer
​….
[Chorus]
But if we just spoke, like we meant it
Would you reference
This open part of me
The minute I know the time we spent in
Came corrected, in my anatomy”

Clay is reassuring the partner, that he knows the silence is not what he wants and that he’s ready to lose the fight. His writing is deep and the music arrangement, is very fitting to the greatness. We cannot wait to continue to hear more from him and for his name to catch the attention of more producers. From his EP release, we recommend giving the tracks Joshua Tree and Blood Type a close listen, as well!