Toby Bryant
Bold, loud and unapologetic. MNEK has dropped his long-awaited debut album, Language.
MNEK’s prowess in the music industry over the past six years is indisputable. The 23-year-old is the voice behind huge dance floor fillers such as ‘Ready For Your Love’, ‘House Work’ and Zara Larsson’s ‘Never Forget You’, he’s penned some of the biggest pop hits of the last decade in Little Mix’s ‘Touch’ and Dua Lipa’s ‘IDGAF’, as well as working with the likes of Madonna and Beyoncé. Quite frankly, the list of astounding credits is endless but with Language one thing is clear, it is MNEK’s turn “to step up to the front now, so you can hear me out” as he opens in ‘Background’.
For a name that has, for many, been hidden behind credits until now, this record is brimming with personality. It’s the most effervescent piece of pop you’re going to find this year.
In both the songwriting and production, it’s non-stop pop brilliance. The hooks of ‘Tongue’ are insanely infectious whilst the perfect-pop simplicity of ‘Colours’ is glorious. Those lead singles don’t eclipse the rest of Language, however, in a trap that so many debut records fall into.
As MNEK continually flexes that songwriting muscle, each track has its own story, stories that have been waiting to reach fans for so long. ‘Crazy World’ is an ode to the oppression of marginalised groups, ‘Correct’ is a frenzy of fun whilst ‘Girlfriend’ is a Hayley Kiyoko sized LGBT anthem and ‘Touched By You’ will bring a tear to your eye. On top of it all, MNEK really can reach those notes like no other.
In many ways, Language is a 2018 pop bible. The mastermind of all those top-selling tracks has fully taken the reigns and from the ingenious interludes to the basslines to the track transitions to the flashes of forward-thinking electronic sounds, this record encapsulates everything that other pop artists are trying to do right now.
It is this confidence in being able to try so many different sounds and stories, all so succinctly that is fast becoming the MNEK trademark. His towering presence graced many a festival stage this summer as his swagger-full sets showcased a man who is finally coming front and centre of pop music.
Technically, Language is a debut album. However, there’s nothing novice to be seen here. Behind all the fun and hair flicks, is a pop music genius, this is pretty special stuff.
Score – 4.5/5
You can listen to the album on Spotify album below. Tweet us what you think about it @CelebMix.
