Track By Track: MUNGMUNG

Sydney-based multidisciplinary hip hop, r&b and pop artist MUNGMUNG shares her debut EP MAIN CHARACTER. Created in collaboration with Taka Perry, the EP is a reflection of all facets of MUNGMUNG'S artistry - filled with pop culture references, powerful bars, and that signature sparkle that injects joy into everything she touches. MAIN CHARACTER features previous releases 'NASCAR', 'SWITCH', 'DMs', and recent single 'NEW FLAME'. Alongside the release of the EP comes the official video for the title track, starring MUNGMUNG and Taka Perry in a playful, video game-inspired setting.

DMs

‘DMs’ started out as a TikTok duet freestyle with Taka Perry. As soon as his video came up on the feed and I heard the 90s style RnB guitar chord progression, the chorus and hook idea zinged in my head. Shortly after I posted the duet, Taka popped into my Instagram DMs. He had some lovely words about my first single, then the conversation progressed to linking up, and BAM! Here we are!

It’s a total hype girl for anyone wanting to make the first move. If you’re into someone, be bold, it’s okay to put your heart on your sleeve, go for it - Charge head-on (with the utmost respect, of course) and see how it goes. 

SWITCH

I had the line ‘Why you gotta flip the Switch like Nintendo?’ tucked away in my mind for some time. During the commute to Taka’s studio for our second session, I was having a movie moment; Looking out the window of the bus with that phrase encircling my head. I immediately wanted to write more and share the idea with Taka.

The subject matter addresses when one slowly but surely comes to terms with a hot-and-cold, on-and-off situationship ending. I wanted to take this concept and create major wordplay with the lyrics. Taka and I were feeling something moody and contemplative that definitely comes through in the production. A gamer world is built with chippy synths and effects to add that extra layer of meaning.

NASCAR

The chorus and hook idea for a song called ‘NASCAR’ was sitting comfortably in my Voice Memos for a month before I showed Taka. I came into the session with a strong feel for the title, chorus, and hook, then we built the song together from there. Funnily enough, Taka was taking production in a Reggae direction at first. I immediately felt that it wasn’t the vibe for this song, showed him some RnB references, and being a complete genius, he made another track within minutes. 

My favourite elements in the track are the chord progression, synth sound, and the obnoxious synth riff motif. They really make up the arcade racer game atmosphere and I’m here for it! 

‘NASCAR’ is a double entendre for the phrase ‘getting nasty in the car’ which speaks volumes. It’s about taking control and being super cheeky in a wild, fun physical relationship. If this song was a ‘FRIENDS’ episode, it would be Season 4, Episode 11.

SAILOR MOON

‘SAILOR MOON’ drips in divine femininity. I felt like writing a playful, confidence-boosting song that plays on the concept of booty, all the while linking to one of the most iconic Anime leading ladies, Sailor Moon; When one twerks, their derriere (also known as ‘moon’) claps and causes waves (hence the sailor reference).

Taka and I worked on this track during the 2021 lockdown period. He built the track around the chorus idea I sent him during our virtual session. The production really brings to life the fun, infectious, and has this ‘everybody join in on the booty-shaking’ vibe. In terms of writing style, I wanted to include bite-sized elements of RnB and Neo-soul with more free and groovier melodies and movements, adding to the sass.

NEW FLAME

I brought this idea to Taka the day before lockdown was announced. I am truly happy that I got to continue cooking in the studio up until that point, as it would turn out that it’d be a long time until Sydney re-opened. With this in mind, we just kinda hung out, had a shit tonne of fun composing and laying down vocals.

‘NEW FLAME’ sets the scene of one being enamored with a newfound romantic interest. No one can compare, it’s complete intoxication. I’ve always wanted to write a song like this - Dark-mode-esque and edgy. I feel like it could be the backdrop to a scene in a movie like ‘Kill Bill’.

MAIN CHARACTER

‘MAIN CHARACTER’ is another track born during the 2021 lockdown. I penned the lyrics and had a rough flow for the chorus and hook. I pitched the idea to Taka and he got to working on a bouncy, trap-infused, futuristic track. Once he sent the demo track over, I put down dodgy vocals via my old Apple earphones (The one with a microphone) and sent it through to him. He loved it and what you’re hearing is exactly like the demo - We kept all the aspects the same, just amped up a little more. 

Here’s a fun fact: The spoken-word outro is an audio file that Taka kept from the Apple Earphone recorded demo vocals.

It’s about owning yourself, knowing your worth, confidence, and ‘just doing you’. Anyone who has a problem with you or dulling your shine are the side pieces and YOU are the main character! One more time for the people in the back - You are the main character!

EP Overall

The EP, MAIN CHARACTER is the perfect introduction to me as an artist. I feel like I’m really putting myself to the forefront and being like “Heyo! Wazzup - It me!”. It captures my humour, cheekiness, love for nerding out on music shit like chords and phat 808s and starts a conversation that I believe is so important about certain issues people can go through such as heartbreak, working through self-doubt and negativity as well as embracing different cultures. 

MAIN CHARACTER is all me. Nice to meet all of y’all! I can’t wait to keep showing you what I have up my sleeve!