MUNGMUNG – Nascar | Synthgasmic

MUNGMUNG is an artist who has skrrt skrrt’d her way onto the scene with her synth-heavy hip hop music. She integrates electronic sampling with deep beats and light synths to create a futuristic, rap soundscape. With the ability to breathe colour and energy into her music, MUNGMUNG is a dynamic hip hop artist with a killer flow.

MUNGMUNG is not afraid to speed things up and slow them down as she does so apparently in her latest single, Nascar. Her ability to integrate cars and car vocabulary in her music uniquely shape her sound. Nascar has these fun synths that create a brilliant countermelody to her exhilarating vocals. MUNGMUNG’s backing vocals add a sprinkle of sugar to the bite-y nature of her sharp lyrics. It’s admirable, to say in the least, to create a brilliant instrumental that has so much going for it and then to add more chaos in her fast-paced flow and lyrics.

I really enjoy how well-produced Nascar is. The track uses some really interesting elements of foley and interesting beats that will have you bobbing your head along to it.

There’s so much more I could tell you about MUNGMUNG, but it sounds far better come from her! Read on below for our interview with her.

What does the word Mungmung mean to you?

MUNGMUNG is all about colour, bursts of energy and of course not being afraid of expressing or making statements when it truly matters through art.

What fascinates you about racing?

I’m such a fan of race-related media like ‘Fast and Furious’ and ‘Initial D’! I think it’s the excitement and thrill behind it that makes it so wild and interesting to watch. I would actually love to spectate a car race one day.

How long have you been in the music scene? How did you discover your musical talent?

I have been singing to my mum since I was a toddler. To this day, I am still annoying my family with my constant singing around the place! From a young age, I’ve been fortunate enough to have my parents give me opportunities to take up creative interests such as piano, drama and singing lessons. The inklings of songwriting all started from me rewriting and parodying Eminem’s lyrics in 8th grade for my friends’ entertainment. Around that time, in music lessons, my mentor Renee decided to challenge us with the exercise of writing a song. I performed mine for her and she encouraged me to take up songwriting sessions with my now frequent collaborator and main man, T. Following a lot of development of style, experimentation and a tonne of fun, I am now here. I hope to be involved with the music world for as long as possible. If I am not writing for myself or being my own artist, I would love to be involved in the arts somehow.

How would you describe your musical journey so far?

It has been fun! It’s so important to never lose touch with the technical plus musical side of things in addition to just getting loose with expression. I only recently started sharing my music outside of my friendship and family bubble. Through taking this big leap, I’ve been able to meet other like-minded people, work with some amazing musicians and school myself in music business. I am truly treasuring every single step!

What has been the most interesting thing to happen to you with respect to your music?

I think everything I do related to music interests me, for example, when I learn a new chord, come up with a new melody, brainstorm a clever punchline, head to the studio, design cover art and so forth. I love all aspects of music-making.

Can you tell us a little bit about Nascar and how you came to creating the track?

‘NASCAR’ is a cheeky, energetic track, a reflection of the subject matter which is also in the title, a double entendre compound term for getting ‘nasty in the car’. I wanted to highlight the aspects of a young, reckless and wild physical relationship; Change up the pace, keep it exciting and draw out the fun rather than rush to the finish line.

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Before bringing the idea to Taka, the chorus melody idea was sitting in my Voice Memos for a few months. When I showed him, we vibed instantly to the idea. We then got cracking with different sounds to create the world that is ‘NASCAR’.

Funnily enough, the initial track idea was headed in a Reggae direction. As Taka grabbed his guitar and played around, I was thinking “Perhaps, this may not be THE sound for the song…?”. I just didn’t know how to tell him without ruining the ‘groove’. On top of this, I was busting to go to the restroom and just kept mulling over whether I should tell him before or after my trip – I could either rip off the bandaid now or if I wait too long he may finish the demo track before I return (Believe me, he is a genius like that, he could definitely whip it up in 5 minutes, if not less). After getting more on edge, I blurted out the suggestion that we could listen to some RnB, neo-soul Hip Hop tracks for further inspiration. We dived into listening and about ten seconds into one song he hit the space bar with vigour then turned to me and said, “This is all I needed.”. Within minutes he had this super dope chord progression down, accompanied with an 808 boosted beat and cute arcade game type fillers.

Now that you’ve released a few singles, can we expect an album from you in the near future?

I love surprises so I’m not going to say too much, but you will never hear the end of me, haha! I hope you don’t get sick of me too soon as I got some good stuff coming! Thank you for the love and support. I can’t wait to share what’s next!

Be sure to add Nascar to your playlists now!