Mocked Monkey
Marasma

In an era marked by rapid and superficial music consumption, this album stands out as an act of resistance. At first listen, it may seem like simple background music, folk nursery rhymes dressed up with pop arrangements, but it soon reveals a deep and layered structure. The electronic influences, at times playful and surreal, evoke a sugary and ironic universe, creating a sonic landscape that demands attention, time, and immersion. It is an emotional narration in musical form, rich in contrasts, nuances, and layers of interpretation.

The journey begins with a feeling of unease and restlessness, epitomized by the opening track Itching Under the Skin, where the “itching under the skin” becomes a metaphor for an inner malaise that is hard to define and even harder to eradicate. From there, the tracklist unfolds through a sequence of evocatively titled songs, tracing a path through complex emotional states: inner imprisonment, disconnection, resistance, and even the hope of a new beginning.

The soul of the album is rooted in the exploration of existential and relational themes, always permeated by a subtle anxiety. The character portrayed in the lyrics is a man who appears accomplished, but is in fact plagued by persistent internal conflicts, torn between what appears and what is felt.

Musically, the work is solid and coherent. The songs are well connected, the structure is fluid, and the arrangements are meticulously crafted. The melodies, warm and analog, evoke the sonic world of the Flaming Lips, with an almost postmodern cartoon-like feel. The songs blend digital glitches, falsetto choirs, and restless dynamics, balancing between melancholy and irony.

It merges the tradition of intimate songwriting with sophisticated electronic production, made of hypnotic loops, evocative samples, and atmospheric synthesizers. The result is a work with a strong emotional impact, where the voice weaves through digital soundscapes and rhythmic pulses that enhance the internal narration.

The vocal tone, deliberately playful at times, harks back to the world of folk nursery rhymes and intertwines with lo-fi elements that make the listening experience more intimate and enveloping. There is a strong postmodern stamp: pop satire, parody, but always with an emotional component that prevents any sterile or overly intellectual drift.

Among the most successful moments are Slipping and Let’s Start: the former is a wave of electronic melancholy, the latter an anthem to the attempt of starting over, even if “shadows still linger behind.” The electropop arrangements, never banal, blend disparate influences. At times, the singer recites more than sings, giving up catchy refrains in favor of an elegant and engaging narration.

In conclusion, a dense and layered work, exploring meta-musical languages and inviting the listener to actively take part in the creative process of music.