In the Pop world young, new artists are constantly emerging. In 2019 Tones and I quickly became the queen of the pop jungle after debuting her hit Dance Monkey. Straight from The Outback, the teen from Byron Bay, Australia has gone from having her music echoing city streets, to blaring out of car speakers ‘round the globe.
The hit comes from Tones and I’s first EP album titled The Kids Are Coming. The six-song album references the frustration the millennial generation deals with as older generations criticize them for wanting to change the world and believing they have all the answers to do so. The cover of the album features a cartoon image of her standing before a crowd waving rainbow flags and holding protest signs. Each song tells a story within it soft-techno beats.
The title Dance Monkey is projected to be about dancing, however the celebrity claims the song is actually composed of actual phrases people on the street have said to her about her singing abilities. (Click here to watch the exclusive interview with DIFFUS) Tones and I swapped out the word “sing” with “dance” to make the lyrics less personable since her music does not usually reflect her personal life. Phrases such as “move for me” and “you just beg to see me dance just one more time” are actually phrases fans have said aid to her regarding her singing.
The lyrics follow a repetitive thrust on a piano key that opens the song. Sung in a raspy and rolling tune, her voice mimics vintage blues style singing. The voice comes as a total surprise as it is not a typical, feminine and sweet-sounding voice that usually adorns the pop sound. Many listeners feel the urge to reject the song, as the pitch of her voice can be a bit jarring at first. However, after reaching the mid-point of the track, listeners find themselves drawn in and easily become hooked to the beat. They quickly realize their head begins to bob to the music. It quick becomes trapped in your head.
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