Let’s not sugar coat things. I’m stressed the heck out, and here’s the thing…. I would be willing to bet that you are too. School’s back, classes are ramping up, and not just classes, but this big bucket of misery we call Covid-19 is ramping back up too. Maybe work is getting hectic. Maybe family life or relationships are getting complicated.
Are you stressed yet?
Are you upset yet?
Good….
Congratulations, you’re a normal human! And you just so happen to be feeling the same way that every other human is. Upset, stressed and frankly not sure what to do. These are rough times, but if it makes you feel any better, you’re not alone. Oh, and I’ve got some good news…. I know the answer. Well, I know an answer at least…. are you ready?
Just dance man. Just dance.
Now before you close your computer and try to forget about the guy who told you to dance in order to cure Covid, just let me explain. I’ve got you feelin’ plenty down, let me bring the mood back up.
Welcome to music Monday. Let’s talk about Jungle.
“Loving in Stereo” is the third studio album by EDM duo Jungle. The album dropped on Aug. 13, and let me tell you something: it’s the bop of the summer. It’s the bop-iest of bops. Oh and by the way, not only is it a bop, but it is a good vibe yo.
Here’s what you need to do: press pause on this article, log on to YouTube and listen to this album. Listen to it while you finish this paper, listen to it while you do your homework, listen to it while you cook or exercise or do that laundry you really need to do (you’re welcome for the reminder). It doesn’t matter what you do while you listen to it, just listen to it! Now here’s my challenge to you….
Try not to dance.
I dare you.
I double dog dare you because I bet you can’t do it.
Ok, so hopefully you’ve checked the album out. If you haven’t, I’m sorry. What a loss. But if you did listen to the album, you’re amazing! I hope it resonated with you as much as it has with me. You probably also now understand that for me to sit here and tell you that the central message of this album is “Hey! Dance!” would be such an understatement. This music is complex and there’s so much to it, and certainly more than we can put into 600 words. So, for the purposes of this article let’s hit the biggie: what can we learn from “Loving in Stereo”?
Just look at the titles of a few songs on this album: “Dry Your Tears,” “Keep Moving,” “Lifting You,” “Talk About It,” “Can’t Stop the Stars.” Are you starting to get the vibe? I mean just look at that progression. Jungle isn’t denying the dark times were living in, and they aren’t ignoring the stress and sorrow many of us are feeling. Here’s a good way to look at the message of this album, and it’s pretty simple: get up, brush yourself off and keep moving forward.
“Truth” is the tenth song on the album. It’s also my personal favorite. If you don’t listen to the whole shebang, just listen to this one because it embodies the album perfectly.
Pay attention to the beginning and end of the song because the lyrics in this one show a strong growth progression. When the chorus opens, we see desire. Desire to get moving to get the day rolling. As the singer notes, however, there’s misunderstanding here, saying, “I know you’ll never get it.” This is the only time the chorus is phrased in this way because every other time the vocals provide the cure for that desire. Let it fade away (“it” perhaps being your troubles, fears or concerns). Want it to get better? Let it go.
So if I may, let me be vulnerable with you for a second. Lately I’m stressed, I’m sad and, some of the time, I’m just plain scared. These are the times we’re living in. It’s OK. Often we feel we won’t be understood. We feel like things just will not get better. You are never alone. Sorry to burst your bubble, but those feelings you’re feeling are probably not that unique. So, get up! Keep Moving!
If we want things to get better, we can’t get bogged down by the negativity of the world we’re living in. We have to push on. All this negativity? Let it fade away. If you want it to get better, learn from it and then let it go. It’s not an easy thing to do, but we’re all here together. There’s plenty of people around to help you. I truly think when we learn to push through this wall in front of us, we might come out breathing just a little bit better.
Oh! And pro tip. If you feel your foot start tapping to some dope album that just dropped, don’t fight it! For the love of all things good, don’t fight it! Just dance. Let life go for a moment and just dance, man. You deserve it.
“Loving in Stereo” by Jungle can be found on Spotify and Apple Music.