Space Discovery: Grace & Moji
Welcome to our new Space Discovery!
Grace & Moji’s latest single Monster is guaranteed to be one of the most genuine and open-hearted songs of our days. The husband-wife duo from Los Angeles started working on this track after a drunk argument, and the result is an indie pop song with a lucid self-awareness and an authentic view on personal growth and shadow work.
This track is a raw and genuine indie pop gem that delves deep into the complexities of relationships and healing. Grace & Moji have crafted a heartfelt and introspective song that resonates with anyone who has experienced the light and darkness within themselves and their relationships, but they produced such a sparkling melody that it makes Monster very easy to listen to, as if to show light-heartedness in the face of everyday drama, with the mellow quality of the song inviting contemplation.
This reminded me a bit of Gotye’s Somebody That I Used To Know, with the couple’s vulnerability and raw emotions on full display, quickly pulling listeners into the narrative through its lyrical relatability and musical accessibility.
Nolo Grace and Martin Wave, the artistic forces behind Grace & Moji, found themselves exploring not only the layers of their relationship but also their individual identities during the lockdown period following their swift marriage. This unconventional start to their union paved the way for a unique exploration of the unconscious dynamics within their relationship, resulting in a song that’s both sincere and unusual, honest and yet uplifting (as the two don’t always go together).
The guitar riffs, steady drums, swooshing synths and airy “doo-doo” softly sung by Grace make the upbeat tempo contrast with the song’s introspective theme, creating a balance that mirrors the complexities of human emotions. Meanwhile, the lines about all their trips to Bali, those meditations and self-explorations which haven’t healed away the wounds reveal their commitment to authenticity in exploring the shadow aspects of themselves and unapologetically normalising the duality within us all, which also serves as a reminder that personal evolution is not as easy as it seems and that acknowledging and confronting these aspects is a crucial part of personal growth.
Nolo Grace’s background, marked by a passion for music and a journey through various career paths, adds depth to her and the duo’s artistic expression, while Martin Wave’s impressive music production career and multi-instrumentalist talents bring a rich sonic landscape to their collaboration.
Grace & Moji‘s desire to explore and experiment is becoming their signature. Monster is an intimate exploration of self, love, and personal growth, and its genuine and nuanced lyrics, mellow musicality, and dynamic composition make it a standout in the indie pop landscape, while encouraging you to embrace all aspects of yourself and work to turn them into something better instead of romanticising what isn’t romantic at all.
This couple’s willingness to embrace their own inner monsters, as they literally do in their music video, reminds us all that we are beautifully complex beings and that accountability, acceptance and communication are fundamental when it comes to love. Grace & Moji’s full EP is coming out in November and we hope they’ll keep examining their identities and the dynamics of their relationship while exploring each other’s creativity, as the outcome is just great for us and them.
