Recommended tracks: “Doom Mood” “Mandarin Moon”
Artists you might like: strongboi, Mamalarky, Say She She
How do you stay calm in the midst of the news cycle happening in the United States? With the exception of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the New York Knicks ending their 53 year drought of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
French-American duo Pearl & The Oysters’ (Juliette Pearl Davis & Joachim Polack) recent release Monkey Mind comes at the time during President Trump’s second term in office and the ravaging LA Wildfires that happened last year. The titular record was named after a Buddhist concept of a restless, looping consciousness as a way to ease their worries.
“Sound Asleep” begins the record with 30 seconds of piano interludes sounding like a lullaby. “Wide Awake” really opens up with a funky, spontaneous space-pop of waking up from a nightmarish dream and going on the morning routine. Its relatable lyrics reflect waking up and doom scrolling on Instagram or TikTok all the way to work or on the go.
“Stratford & 52” references an Los Angeles intersection where the wildfires happened a year ago as it opens to a breezy Bossa Nova and jazz influences with the piano interludes feels dreamy and the summer-like vibes takes over ending with the sound of the ice cream truck song.
“Manadrin Moon” opens to psychedelic surf n’ turf guitar riffs as it transitions to Juliette Pearl Davis’ vocals serenading about the moon. “Doom Mood” stands out in the record not only as an anagram but its calm yet tranquil Bossa Nova influence plays a double entendre for the vibes and the lyrics harkening the doom that is the state of the world.
“Sound Asleep (Reprise)” ends the album with 52 seconds of electro-polka interludes as the chords ascend and descend into a hypnotic lullaby floating through space. “Light Out” has an energetic jazz fusion influence that will grow on you for a few listens.
Pearl & The Oysters’ Monkey Mind remedies the chaotic timeline that is impossible to get away from. It segues different genres from Bossa Nova to psychedelic surf n’ turf as it gives off melancholic, natural high vibes. It comes highly recommended and worth adding to your music collection.
You can listen to Monkey Mind here.
Keep up with Pearl & The Oysters: Website // Bandcamp // Instagram // X // Facebook // YouTube
One of the great albums of the year! I enjoyed reading your review!