emotional labour – Get In Her Ears

A lo-fi indie pop gem that gently shrugs off the frustrations caused by someone else’s “bad behaviour”, London-based, New Jersey-born songwriter Muna Ileiwat has shared her latest single ‘Pity Party’. Taken from her debut EP, Twenty-Seven, which is set for release on 19th August via Fear of Missing Out Records, the track is a hazy blend of soft vocals, shimmering electronics and steady beats over which Muna calmly refuses to take on extra emotional labour.

After going through a break-up at the start of the pandemic, Muna avoided screens and social media and turned to songwriting in order to process her emotions. The result is her debut EP, which explores the fluctuating nature of relationships in all their forms, and the resilience and freedom that comes with creating art for arts sake.

“I was trying to not be too precious about my songwriting or my art in general. It’s hindered me in a lot of ways in the past –– writer’s block that eventually turns into existential creative anxiety,” Muna explains. Her latest single ‘Pity Party’ is a natural product of this mindset. Inspired by an event that happened on the last night of her twenty-seventh year, the track is a quietly confident ode to self-autonomy.

“That year marks a time when I became somewhat of an open book,” Muna explains further. “I had no time for people’s bullshit and decided I was just going to start tackling life with 100% conviction.” This conviction is explored through lilting keys and Muna’s clear, cutting lyrics on ‘Pity Party’. Muna will be celebrating the release of her debut EP with a live show at The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston on 19th August.

Watch the video for ‘Pity Party’ below.

Pre-order Muna Ileiwat’s debut EP, Twenty-Seven, from Rough Trade here

Follow Muna Ileiwat on Apple Music, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Guy Gotto

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

A riotous garage-rock tune inspired by the characters frontwoman Lucie Blair encountered while working behind a busy city-centre bar, Boarder have shared their latest single ‘Strangers’. Released via Amateur Pop Incorporated, the track probes at the way strangers often use bar staff as unofficial therapists after they’ve had a few too many, and how female staff are more prone to taking on this emotional labour.

“‘Strangers’ feels almost symbolic of the times we’re living in” explains Blair, even though the track was penned before the current covid-19 pandemic. “It’s a song I wrote while working in a bar on minimum wage & contemplating what it really means to be alive.” The Leicester-based band explore these contemplations via distorted riffs and crashing percussion, with Blair venting her frustrations through her sardonic vocals.

‘Strangers’ is the first track Boarder have produced by themselves, with the swaggering guitars and pounding drums reflecting the shifting moods of the drunken characters the song is based on. As Blair notes, it’s hard to feel “alive” or even nostalgic for this old way of life in 2020, when leaving the house “could mean the difference between life and death.” Let’s hope when things are genuinely safe again, bar staff won’t have to keep mopping up after customers who continuously spill their thoughts.

Listen to ‘Strangers’ below and follow Boarder on bandcamp, Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Shyla Rose

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Tag: emotional labour

Track Of The Day: Muna Ileiwat – ‘Pity Party’

Track Of The Day: Boarder – ‘Strangers’