For a while there, I felt like “Silk Chiffon” was everywhere. The first single off of MUNAās new self-titled album (which is the first released under their new label, Saddest Factory, run by the queen of sad white girls Ms. Phoebe Bridgers) went viral on TikTok, paid homage to But Iām a Cheerleader and generally just infected a few months with a little earworm. Having worn OUT the Repeat 1 button on Spotify listening to the song Number One Fan off the bandās previous album, I feel qualified to say: MUNA knows how to make a song of the season.
https://twitter.com/analoca_/status/1506857276820586500?s=20&t=15eZcMOKQqcxeDiXDR361w
If “Silk Chiffon” was the song of the spring (winter?), then Iām here to encourage you to find your song of the summer from the rest of the tracks.
“Silk Chiffon”
Yāall already know this one, and so does every TikTok queer for miles. If itās not broke, etc. You want to stick with a classic, this oneās for you.
Blast when: youāve got the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, whether thatās rollerblading, driving in the car, or sitting on the porch.
“Loose Garment”
One of a few breakup songs on this album, this is not about regretting the breakup itself or wishing that you were still with an ex, but just being sad about the end of a relationship that ultimately couldnāt work and not quite able to shake it. Thatās gay culture! Iām all about pretending sadness doesnāt exist this summer, but for my saddies (combo sad grrl/baddies) out there, maybe this is your hit!
Blast when: you wanna wallow a little bit, but ONLY a little bit.
“Kind of Girl”
One for my contemplative girls and gays! A song about resisting boxing yourself in, loving all your flaws and wanting more. Itās more downbeat than most of the other songs on the album, the only reason itās not higher on the list, but one thing I love about this album is none of the songs are content with just being sad: theyāre hopeful and lilting and most importantly, still bangers.
Blast when: you want to emote while singing. In college, there was an āacting through singing” course (yes I was a theater major) ā this is a perfect song for that class.
“Shooting Star”
I wish this song wasā¦louder? Thatās truly my biggest criticism on the album, is this one songās volume. Pretty good, I think!
Blast when: driving home from a party where you chatted someone up but didnāt get their number.
“Home By Now”
Another post-break up anthem, this one about wondering whether a relationship might have worked out if youād stayed in it. Gorgeous deep vocals, and real insight into that feeling when you know you broke up for a reason but arenāt yet used to the space by your side that an ex used to occupy.
Blast when: you want to ruminate on all your past relationships (donāt lie, we all do it!).
“Solid”
In their New York Times feature, MUNA talks about recording this song and how the chorus kept sounding like āSheās a salad,” which will be how I sing this song forevermore. I anticipate so many imminent couple montages to this song on TikTok!
Blast when: you and your partner are bopping around together.
“Handle Me”
Okay, a bottom anthem!!! Haha jkā¦unlessā¦? This song begs a partner to not be shy. Itās sexy but if you werenāt listening to the lyrics you might not notice just how sexy.
Blast when: youāre with a person you wanna kiss for the first time!
“Runnerās High”
The lyrics question whether the singer is feeling fine after a break-up simply because theyāre the one who left. Truly some very clever lyrics in here, ripe for captions and quoting.Ā Croony and introspective, this still has a propulsive beat, turning a potentially sad song into one that you still want to jump up and down to.
Blast when: you wanna belt something sad but not depress yourself.
“No Idea”
Another very sexy jam! I wanna see a bunch of thirst traps set to this song ASAP, or watch it score a scene in a movie where the lead locks eyes with a hottie at a bar and then one cut later is grinding up against them.
Blast when: youāre feeling flirty or feeling yourself!
“Anything But Me”
Is there a more iconic opening line on this album than āYouāre gonna say that Iām on my high horse, I think that my horse is regular sized?” This vibe, wishing an ex well but removing yourself from that relationship very firmly, thatās the wave for this summer. No lingering confusion, no mixed signals. Letās want the best for each other and just admit that itās not us.
Blast when: youāre trying to get over someone, itāll help for sure.
“What I Want”
Maybe itās just sonically similar to āNumber One Fan” and my obsession is kicking in, but the second this song starts, Iām shaking ass! āI spent way too many years not knowing what I wanted, how to get it, how to live it and now Iām gonna make up for it all at once.” Is this a post-pandemic song? A post-break-up song? A post-coming out song? Applicable for any and all situations where youāre ready to let loose, this is a certified banger and I canāt wait to hear it in a room full of sweaty queer people.
Blast when: you wanna listen to the song of the summer, babe! This is it!
Comments
Yes! What an album!!! I’ve had it on repeat since it released!!
I feel so seen! I have been singing to myself for days
“I think that my horse
Is regular sized”
And not enough of my friends think it this funny. Thank you!!
Honestly a whole album of all bops no skips, but am COMPLETELY onboard with What I Want taking the crown here!
That high horse line makes me laugh every time I hear it.