We Speak Music
Monograms Reveals Visually Stunning Music Video for ‘Listen Up’
Monograms is the moniker of Brooklyn-based musical artist, Ian Jacobs. He employs strong, swift tones to convey his creative ideas. Dynamic music with pointillism lyrics, lucid beats, and psychedelic melodies, creates a driving backdrop of underground and popular music across an eclectic spectrum.
His latest offering ‘Listen Up’ is a militant call to action and an epic single from the LP ‘A Fine Commitment’. The track is a barrage of ricocheting beats, angular guitars, and sprawling feedback that builds to a tumultuous crescendo with genre-bending attacks of post-punk, new wave, and indie-rock production, merging dark tones alongside groovy, energetic hopefulness.
An elaborate MUSIC VIDEO accompanies the track as a visually stunning display combining a masked protagonist’s exploits. Monograms fall in and out of his own image, finally landing underwater and into a dream-like performance. This aesthetic enhances the driving, syncopated rhythm, rolling guitars, and distinctive vocals the song offers.
Jacobs reflects: “I knew I wanted to make something fun and elaborate. I started to dig into some big production ideas but built concepts that didn’t take themselves too seriously at the same time. I also wanted to have something about the duality of perspective which is what the song is about, that’s where the idea of the mask came from; The idea that something bad can also be good… and vice versa, depending on how you look at it. Co-Director Brendan Ward and I came up with some crazy ideas and somehow managed to pull them all off.”
‘Listen Up’ which follows previous singles ‘Hi Low’ and ‘Carry The Weight’ finds Monograms expanding his portfolio into exciting uncharted territories. Entirely written and recorded by Monograms in Brooklyn, the song promises a thrilling meltdown of boundaries.
Monograms’ music channels the golden era of college radio whilst retaining the energy of contemporary influences. He accomplishes this while working with sounds from post-punk, gritty pop, and angular psych, to new-wave creating a mesmeric sound.
Since the project’s early bedroom recordings, Monograms has received support from international acts like Cloud Nothings, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Ezra Furman, Sunflower Bean, Man or Astro-Man?, A Place To Bury Strangers, GØGGS (Ty Segall/Ex-Cult), Gilla Band, New Candys, Caveman, DMA’s, Juan Waters, Gang of Youths, Buscabulla, the Wytches, and others.
Reputable media publications including Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, Earmilk, Under the Radar, the 405, Post-Punk, and Alt Citizen, to mention a few, have praised Monograms’ music. These features have resulted in increased exposure on radio, film, and television (KEXP, Shameless on Showtime, and SXSW Film Festival).
In a time when most pop music is dominated by formulaic hooks and predictable production, Mimi’s Revenge has carved out a space all their own. Hailing from Atlanta, this boundary-pushing duo has just released their latest single, ‘Dire’, a moody, cinematic track that feels both like a glimpse into a larger narrative and a powerful statement on its own. It’s a raw, introspective dive into their world, where emotional depth collides with sleek, high-gloss production.
What sets ‘Dire’ apart from the get-go is its atmosphere. From the first notes, the track pulls you into an immersive sonic space, where every synth swell and beat drop feels deliberate. There’s a cinematic quality to the production, as if every element — from the sparse vocals to the haunting instrumentals — is working together to tell a larger, unfolding story. It’s rare that a single track feels so fully realized and yet so open-ended, like the first chapter of a book that leaves you aching to know what happens next.
The beauty of ‘Dire’ lies in its contrasts. The song is at once sleek and shadowy, smooth and jagged. It manages to be both polished and deeply personal, offering a space for listeners to reflect and dance in equal measure. The production is glossy without ever feeling superficial, each layer of sound building tension and release. And at the heart of it all is the vulnerability of the lyrics — a powerful exploration of emotional chaos, pain, and the catharsis of turning those feelings into art.
Behind ‘Dire’ is a duo that refuses to be constrained by genre or expectation. Mimi’s Revenge pulls influences from the likes of Prince, Outkast, and blink-182, but instead of mimicking, they combine elements from these icons in a way that feels uniquely their own. There’s a rebellious spirit here — the kind that refuses to fit into neatly labeled boxes. This is music that exists on the margins, unapologetically dark yet brimming with possibility.
One of the most striking aspects of Mimi’s Revenge is their DIY ethos. From the brooding beats to the visuals and even the handmade costumes, the duo controls every aspect of their artistry. This commitment to creative independence speaks to a deeper vision — one that is about more than just making music. It’s about creating a space for those who feel too much, for the outsiders and the misfits, and making them feel seen and heard.
With ‘Dire’, Mimi’s Revenge prove that they are artists to watch. This single is more than just a song — it’s a declaration of intent. If this track is any indication, the duo is on the verge of something even bigger. Bold, beautiful, and brimming with promise, ‘Dire’ is a perfect introduction to the world of Mimi’s Revenge, one that you won’t be able to look away from.
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