“Songs About Cars” by Munkn
Whether you've just been run over by a Honda CR-V, attacked by an alligator snapping turtle, or are simply in the mood for some fresh garage rock, look no further than Nashville's Munkn and their debut LP, Songs About Cars, released earlier this year.
The afflictions I named above are some of the many less-than-likely scenarios explored by the band in a concept album filled with road trip references, character stories, and grungy sarcasm, reminding us that irony is still punk rock.
Opening with "CR-V1", the first minutes of the album set the stage for the rest of your drive with surfy tones, energetic riffs, and slacker hooks that'll have you singing from your carseat. The production throughout is refreshingly imperfect and compressed with a 'DIY' electricity that pairs well with anthemic choruses, reminiscent of college nights at backyard rock shows.
It feels like the kind of timeless, hidden-gem of an album you'd keep on an old CD in your car's center console, knowing that you can rely on it to inject gritty energy into a dragging road trip.
Perhaps most distinct is the band's commitment to their thematic bit revolving around using offbeat lyrical sarcasm, almost as if to bring you in on an inside joke, and then driving the point home with distorted riffs and undeniably catchy and loud hooks - which in my opinion, is the perfect concoction for an effective mosh pit.
I actually had the opportunity to see these guys live a few months back at a house show, and can confirm that they also bring that energy in person - dancing barefoot on stage, telling jokes and interacting with the audience, and playing with this infectious care-free charm. There's no ego, no ulterior motive, they just seem like nice guys that are doing this because they're having a ton of fun, and it comes across in the recordings as well.
There's something about that which is so invigorating and special to find these days; social media makes it far too easy for artists to get caught up in their own image and marketing, often yielding plastic and un-relatable art. But Munkn feels like the kind of music that doesn't demand your attention, or take itself too seriously.
This album isn’t songs about hardships, successes, politics, love, or even themselves - it's just Songs About Cars, and they're inviting you to drop your barriers and worries for a little while and come along for the ride.
While they haven't announced any upcoming shows yet, keep an eye on their socials (@munkn.around) in the new year for opportunities to see them live, and for links to stream their repertoire. My favorite tracks so far are "Turtle", and "Backseat Driver”.
