Female-led powerhouse Menajerie releases their latest single, “First Sunday,” on August 2. Known for their sultry, funky sound, the six-piece band from Meanjin delivers a passionate and poignant track that navigates the complexities of grief and mourning.
The six-piece band has made waves with their unique blend of neo-soul, jazz, and funk. According to Anika Luna from Triple J, “Their bio reads ‘6-piece, female-led, powerhouse from Meanjin’ and they are so right what a force Menajerie is!” This is according to Luka Muller of Triple J, who marked them as being able to wander “the line between jazz and funk with sultry, gorg vocals.” Scenestr reflects an appeal to Hiatus Kaiyote, Moonchild, and Thundercat fans, and according to Atwood Mag, it is like “unleashing their inner heat with raw, smoldering passion and radiant, seductive soul.”
Menajerie-‘First Sunday’
Coming right after the success of their 2023 debut album “Selective Deafness”, Menajerie has been enthralling listeners ever since. Their single “Melt” was nominated for the 2024 Queensland Music Awards in the Soul/Funk/R&B category. With “First Sunday,” they now offer up a heart-fluttering number that merges funky grooves with bittersweet emotion.
Instrumentation à la free-flowing neo-soul, angelic harmonies—there’s something intoxicating here. Gracie Mack, one of the members said, “First Sunday is a song of release and catharsis from the complex world of grief. The song begins with pensive vocals over lush piano chords and slick guitar rhythms. The bridge then provides release with sparkling Rhodes and cosmic, belting vocals reaching a moving crescendo. The song ends by turning inwardly reflective. Contemplating the effect of grief on the soul.”
“First Sunday” is an emotionally impactful and quite danceable track that furthers Menajerie’s tradition of unfiltered but fun. The band can be caught live in celebration of the single launch on August 2 at It’s Still A Secret in South Brisbane.
Stream First Sunday here.
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