MNEK – Language

[Juan Carlos]

Please, release it sooner than later. Thank you.

[Kurt]

Can't wait to hear this when it's released in 2020!

[Juan Carlos]

Nov 17, 2017 18:01:40 GMT -5 Kurt said:

Can't wait to hear this when it's released in 2020!

I wouldn't be surprised if this indeed happens though~

[Juan Carlos]

MNEK premiered "Tongue", his new single, on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show as the Hottest Record today.

Also, his debut album is slated to be released this year. (Hopefully!)

From The FADER:

MNEK is a pop wunderkind turned in-demand songwriter who has worked with Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, and Stormzy in recent years. However, 2018 is the year he focuses on himself and will see the arrival of his long-awaited debut album.

[Albie]

This is his 18 Months. Though maybe more like 36 months...

[Juan Carlos]

👀

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmdCkSwhz-u

[Juan Carlos]

His debut album is called Language. There's an Amazon pre-order link which says that the release date is next week and you could check it here. Either way, "Crazy World" will be out this Friday.

[Juan Carlos]

The album will be available for pre-order on iTunes at midnight local time and it will be released on September 7.

[Kurt]

Glad I didn't see the 8/24 Amazon link sooner than now, because I was already thrilled that it was only three weeks away and that might have turned that into a disappointment! Two years sooner than my prediction too. :)

Nov 17, 2017 18:01:40 GMT -5 Kurt said:

Can't wait to hear this when it's released in 2020!

[Juan Carlos]

"Correct" will be released as an instant grat tomorrow.

[Linnethia Monique]

I need to see the track list before I get excited because if I see anything from the Small Talk EP creep up on here I'm throwing hands.

[Juan Carlos]

Aug 30, 2018 16:17:32 GMT -5 Linnethia Monique said:

I need to see the track list before I get excited because if I see anything from the Small Talk EP creep up on here I'm throwing hands.

None of the tracks from the Small Talk EP are included in the album and "Paradise", which was released after that EP, was the only which made the cut. By default, "Never Forget You", "At Night (I Think About You)" and "Deeper", his song with Riton, were also excluded.

[George]

[George]

MNEK Made One of the Year's Most Ambitious Pop Albums -- Why Aren't People Paying Attention?
9/21/2018 by Patrick Crowley

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: MNEK’s long-awaited debut album Language underperformed in its first week, completely missing the Billboard 200 chart. The 23-year-old singer-songwriter-producer has expressed disappointment across social media: “ok i told my mgmt not to send me the sales or whatever and so they didn’t - but i’ve seen someone’s tweeted it and i am a bit gutted, kinda fucked it,” he tweeted.

MNEK has reason to be disheartened. The album is a tour de force of unclockable hooks and production wizardry. For an artist who has worked with a roster of globally recognized stars that’s more exciting than most award show line-ups -- Madonna, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Diplo and BTS, to name a few -- and has a solid fanbase amongst Pop Twitter, it’s curious why MNEK’s debut didn’t make more of an impact.

It’s clear that MNEK knows his place in the music world. High-profile collabs be damned, the singer is aware that casual fans still don’t know how to say his name. He hilariously corrects them with a brilliant skit on Language: two party girls sing along to “Never Forget You,” his 2015 team-up with Zara Larsson before one of the ladies professes her love for “Em-Neck.” “It’s ‘M-N-E-K’,” her friend corrects her. “Sounds like an STD.”

This playfulness shines throughout Language. On “Correct,” he flexes his resume as a triple threat: “You hear the bass through the speakers/ Now you wanna hear the rest/ Who wrote this song?/ Who made this beat?/ Well take a guess,” he brags, likely smirking the entire time he was in the studio. And on album highlight “Girlfriend,” he reads a closet-case fuckboi to fiflth: “Neither you nor your story’s straight.”

On top of MNEK’s smart wordplay, Language is a masterclass in production. The singer doesn’t hide his turn-of-the-century inspirations; in fact, he shared a playlist of pop and R&B tracks that influenced the record, including early P!nk (“There You Go”), a Spice Girls deep cut (“Denying”) and two tracks from Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope (“Empty” and “Go Deep”). The era’s sound is present throughout the skittering beats and multiplex harmonies of Language, perhaps most apparent in “Paradise,” which features the iconic guitar riff from Ultra Naté’s 1997 club staple “Free” undulating throughout the track.

So why didn’t audiences pay attention? The most obvious explanation: his identity. MNEK is a feminine, gay, black man making pop music. Sadly, that is still revolutionary. "Queer artists have been celebrated across major media outlets all year (it’s #20GAYTEEN after all!), but are hardly catching on the charts. Even Troye Sivan, the chosen poster child of the the queer pop movement, is struggling to catch a break on the charts. His lead single off last month’s Bloom capped at No. 80 on the Hot 100, while subsequent singles -- including a duet with Top 40’s it girl Ariana Grande -- missed the chart completely. With the notable exception of Halsey, LGBTQ artists are everywhere -- except on the charts.
'
But MNEK’s sexuality isn’t the only thing working against his crossover popularity. A quick skimming through the top of this week’s Hot 100 and it’s easy to see that dance-rooted pop music doesn’t have the presence it used to. There are outliers, but trap-infused hip-hop rules the charts, making it difficult to break new pop acts. Even Dua Lipa, arguably the biggest pop star to break out in the past year, took a minute to catch traction. Her self-titled debut landed at No. 86 on the Billboard 200 upon its June 2017 release. Eight months later, the album hit a peak of No. 27. (It’s worth noting that MNEK also co-wrote Lipa’s global smash “IDGAF,” which noted a No. 49 peak on the Hot 100.)

That said, MNEK’s could look at his fellow Brit’s trajectory for a bit of optimism. She is proof that first-week numbers aren't indicative of an album’s potential, especially for a newcomer in today’s pop music landscape. Charli XCX, too, is proof that a pop artist can maintain a steady amount of interest while being all but absent across the US charts.

With a proper stateside push -- complete with television appearances where he can showcase his sassy charm -- this album campaign is salvageable. A major opening slot for a tour or a co-sign from one of his superstar collaborators could also do wonders to increase his profile.

Another ray of hope: music trends don’t last long. As the pendulum swings away from more simplistic sounds, we will inevitably end up hearing music with more sonic complexity. While there’s no predicting what that will sound like, recent buzzworthy singles by Rina Sawayama and Nina Nesbitt (“Cherry” and “Loyal To Me,” respectively) wouldn’t sound out of place on a playlist among turn-of-the-millennium fare like Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah and Jennifer Lopez. Given his similar admiration for the intricate melodies and syncopated, layered rhythms from the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, if there’s any justice, the future will sound like MNEK.

[SHOOTER]

Apparently it only sold 800 copies first week out in the UK. 😬

[getonthebus]

This album is going to be one of those where in 5 or so years, people will see how ahead of its time it is. His production style is so intricate and embellished, which is the antithesis of the current sound, but absolutely the direction pop will be moving in the next few years.

Correct, specifically, is a work of genius.

[George]

Sept 24, 2018 2:06:06 GMT -5 SHOOTER said:

Apparently it only sold 800 copies first week out in the UK. 😬

Well, that's better than the 144 copies in the US that I found tweets about:

[SHOOTER]

Maybe it was 144 in America. 😬

[Future Captain]

tragic. shame, i really liked the album

[groovetheory]

I listened to just two songs and they are bops. Deserves much more attention.

[Ky]

Sept 24, 2018 9:11:00 GMT -5 getonthebus said:

This album is going to be one of those where in 5 or so years, people will see how ahead of its time it is. His production style is so intricate and embellished, which is the antithesis of the current sound, but absolutely the direction pop will be moving in the next few years.

Correct, specifically, is a work of genius.

Correct is so good!

[George]

MNEK On ‘Language,’ Representation & Working With Beyoncé: Interview

MNEK has been breaking the rules all of his life. After being championed by the first wave of music blogs in the mid-’00s, the artist/producer signed a songwriting deal in 2009 at the ripe old age of 16. It didn’t take long for his name to grace the credits of major UK hits and he tested the waters as a pop star with a well-received debut EP. The Brit finally broke big when “Never Forget You,” an infectious collaboration with Zara Larsson, became a worldwide hit. The song’s success opened even more doors, leading to studio time with Beyoncé and Madonna.

Given his songwriting prowess, MNEK would be forgiven for keeping his artist project on the back burner. But he has larger ambitions than mere stardom. The hitmaker, who is touring North America in early 2019 (find out more here), wants to use his platform to change the very notion of what a pop star should look and sound like. I recently caught up with the (now) 24-year-old at the famed Capitol Records Tower in Los Angeles and asked about his critically-lavished debut album, Language, and the importance of representation. Get to know him a little better in our Q&A below.

Are you relieved that Language is finally out? I know you’ve been chipping away at it for a while now.

I’m really happy it’s out. I’m happy with the album I made. I’m really happy that people have responded positively to it. I just want on a mini tour for it in the UK and it was so cool. It wasn’t in massive venues, but it was so great to meet people who have just listened to the album and really loved it. The fact that they spent their hard-earned money on me is so humbling.

Particularly, at a time when people don’t really pay for music.

They don’t buy music anymore. I mean, it’s fine. It’s cool. You find other ways. I’m trying to remind myself that I love doing this. I really love being an artist, but I make my money from songwriting. You know what I mean? If I just did this, I’d go broke. So, it’s good to have this as a day job. This is my passion, but frankly, music is hard to sell.

You have spoken about being an ambassador for black gay men in pop music. Was it always a goal or did it just happen?

It kind of developed. I always wanted to be out in my music, from when I signed my record deal. But then I just didn’t know how. Ask anyone growing up gay, you’re constantly developing and finding yourself. I didn’t have as much experience to talk about. Also, I love R&B. But I don’t think I make R&B music. I make pop music. I make music that is pretty commercial. But, at the same time, I’m a minority within a minority and it can be challenging. I feel validated about what I’m doing when I meet fellow black gay men or black gay women.

They say that it’s good to have someone that they can relate to. It’s literally everything that I wanted. I just wanted someone that looked like me on TV, you know? A valid, successful person who’s living their best life. I don’t want to be the last person doing what I’m doing.

I hope things are slowly changing. There are more queer, black artists coming through.

There are so many amazing out, gay, black artists who are really great in their own fields, but they aren’t necessarily trying to make pop music. I guess my thing is different because I am trying to be part of that world. But doing it my way.

I love how you turn tired, old tropes upside down on songs like “Girlfriend.” It’s one of my favorites, but it shocked some people.

That’s the exact thing, if a female sung that song verbatim, it wouldn’t be an issue. I think that the core thing about “Girlfriend” is that it is just as simple as me singing it and me doing it in a low register that makes it kind of outrageous. It’s just as simple as me singing it that makes it scandalous. Back in the early 2000s, girls were singing songs like this all the fucking time. Listen to “My Little Secret” by Xscape.

I love that song.

I love that song too! It’s shameless. “I like being with you and your girlfriend in the same room, the fact that she don’t know really turns me on” is rags! I just wanted to have lyrics like that to make people say, “Oh shit.”

Another one of my favorites is “Honeymoon Phaze.”

Yeah. “Honeymoon Phaze” is my favorite on the album. It’s indulgent. It was written for my best friend. It was one of those songs that just felt so good to write. It was based on a real situation.

Another one that stands out is “Crazy World.” It feels very timely.

I didn’t want to make an album that was entirely about love. I mean that’ll come. There’s just so much happening in the world right now. I think it would have been very tone deaf of me to just go ahead and make a love album. “Crazy World” is view or lens on what I see around me. And I know people relate. Because everyone is going through the same shit, it’s just in different shapes and sizes.

Have you already started thinking about the next album?

I’ve started writing new music, but I don’t know what I’m doing yet. Which is fine. When I started making Language, I didn’t have an idea. I knew what I wanted to do more so within the last three months of putting it together. That was when it was like, “Hey. This is the body of work. This is what I’m trying to do.” And the same will apply to the next EP or the next album. But I do want to have one more single from this album.

Can you reveal what it is?

It’s a secret. I just want to get everything right. I’m going to be funding it all myself, like the video and stuff. So I want it to be perfect.

That’s amazing. Speaking of videos, how important is the visual aspect to you?

I hated my early videos. I really did. I hated “The Rhythm.” Hated it. It’s not my vibe to have lot of white people jumping on trampolines. [Laughs]. I was young and really misguided. I think “Tongue” was the first video that I have ever made where I was like, “This shit is lit! I cannot wait to put this out!” You know what I mean? I felt like I was really being my proper self and I loved being part of the editing process of it. I have loved making videos for this album. I’m making ones that I really want to make.

Were you still writing for other artists while recording Language?

Yeah. Totally. I have three songs on the new Little Mix album. Two songs I’ve co-written and another song that I just did a little bit of production on. I’ve also got a song on the new Clean Bandit album. And what else? Honestly, there’s so much happening. For example, someone will randomly record a song I wrote years ago and put it on their album.

Is it strange when that happens?

Sometimes I’m like, “Why this song? Okay! Enjoy! Go ahead!” [Laughs]. My goal is to learn to be less precious about the stuff I’m writing for other people because I’ve got my own stuff to be precious about.

Can I bring up some of your classic cuts?

Sure.

We have to start with “Living For Love.” Because Madonna.

[Groans]. Really?

I’m sorry!

It’s totally fine. The thing about “Living for Love” is all I did was sing. I co-wrote “Hold Tight.” That was a song I did with Diplo. Madonna took it and tweaked it. She invited me to the studio in London and was like, “Can you just sing some [backgrounds] because I love your voice.” So I sang on “Hold Tight.” And then she said, “Okay, I have another song called ‘Living for Love.’ Do you wanna do some BDS?” And I was like, “Okay, whatever you want!” I think she used them for a remix.

What is Madonna like as a person?

She was really cool. Very motherly. She gave me lemons and tea. She invited me to her birthday party. It was literally on a boat in France. I didn’t go. I was in New York, meeting my first boyfriend.

You also co-wrote Beyoncé’s “Hold Up” with Diplo.

With that one, I went to Beyoncé’s house in LA. She has a studio there.

Your life is so glamorous.

It seems glamorous. I don’t know, I’m very blessed to meet the people I’ve met. Obviously, Madonna and Beyoncé are people I grew up watching on TV and they are like the premium of what a pop star is supposed to be. I worked so hard on “Hold Up.” Beyoncé played me the instrumental and all it had was the chorus. I took it back to London and basically wrote a whole song around that chorus. And then, she picked out a section from it and said it was going to be the bridge.

“This such a shame, you let this good love go to waste, I always keep the top tier, 5 star, Backseat lovin’ in the car.” That’s my bit. I believe Father John Misty did the verses. I just did that little section.

Please tell me she was cool. I’m a lifetime member of the Bey Hive.

I really liked her. I thought she was really, really sweet and beautiful in person. Jesus Christ. You know in Lemonade how she has all the different words for each song? She had all those words on paper scattered across the studio. “I want a song that represents redemption. A song that represents forgiveness. A song that represents this or that.” It was great to see how her mind works. It was very inspiring.

I also really like Christina Aguilera’s “Deserve.”

I wrote that song with Julia Michaels. It was actually during the writing camp for Beyoncé. That was the first time I met Julia. I think “Good For You” had just come out for Selena Gomez. Everything started popping up for her. It was sick to see her work. I created this whole whole busy ass beat and she’s like, “Can you take out the drums? Can you take out the synth?” And then she just came up with, “Sometimes I don’t think I deserve you.” And I was like, “Ohhhh okay.” And then the song literally just wrote itself.

We just went back and forth, line for line. It was so fun working with her. And then Christina Aguilera heard it and she loved it and then I was able to meet her several times. She invited me to her birthday party and came to my studio in London. It was totally cool. Totally chill. I really like her. It was great to work with her and hear her sing.

Thanks so much for your time.

Thank you! It’s been really fun.

[George]

New holiday single:



Also, he's announced a couple 2019 tour dates already:

FEB 19 - New York, NY - The Bowery Ballroom
FEB 20 - Washington, DC - Union Stage
FEB 23 - Toronto, Canada - Velvet Underground
FEB 25 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
FEB 26 - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour
FEB 27 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop

[Taylor.]

I got tickets to see him in Toronto. M&G tickets were $19 lmao.

[George]

Official tour stops:



Also, “Girlfriend” video is coming soon!

[George]

[George]

One of the headliners for this year’s LA Pride Festival in June:

[George]

[George]

New single with Craig David drops next Friday:

http://instagram.com/p/CVCyBw_ILtn

[George]

Can’t believe it’s been 5 years: