It’s not often that the very first chords of a song have me immediately stepping back and going ‘wow’. I’m not even exaggerating when I say ‘A Million Monkeys’ had me awestruck, covered in goose bumps, and wholly immersed. The bluesy folk rock tune from Gnarfunkel is laidback, groovy, but so damn emotive in its clever lyricism and equally expressive guitar work. I mean how ridiculously hilarious and poignant is that chorus? With expressing love leaving us feeling absolutely confounded and befuddled, Gnarfunkel flips that absolute confusing struggle into something so seemingly ridiculous but strangely endearing.
He’s trying to write a letter but can’t find the words so he finds a million monkeys and gets them a million typewriters.
But its not just the lyricism that has me amazed, it’s the melody of this piece. It’s so damn catchy, so eloquently emotive despite the song’s insistence that eloquence isn’t their thing. If for nothing else, ‘A Million Monkeys’ has made me a massive fan of Gnarfunkel at large. I’ve delighted in going back into their catalogue to find gem after gem of indie rock tunes. Don’t skip out on this West Coast Funk rock group.
A special one, without a doubt. Definitely, my favourite tune of the new year so far.