King Isis may have only burst onto the scene in 2022, with their first EP scales landing just this past March via Dirty Hit, but they’re certainly already carving out a space of their own. Last Thursday (February 22), the Oakland-born and Barnard-educated musician shared “MONKI,” the second single from the shed EP, which is slated to drop just under a month from now on March 21.
On “shed,” Isis cites any number of influences, from Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu to Yves Tumor and Nilüfer Yanya; it is also heavily inspired by Gloria E. Anzaldúa’s Borderlands/La Frontera. But even with such a collection of predecessors to inform their work, Isis notes that the EP, and this single, are unique.
“I wrote ‘MONKI’ as a sonic representation of taking up space as my full authentic self,” they say. “‘MONKI’ is a song written in a space of rejection, pushing back against narratives and ideologies that were placed upon me to confine.”
“MONKI” makes this crystal clear. Instrumentally suspended between pop balladry and post-punk rough-hewn guitar edges, the track sits itself comfortably in its own space, while Isis sings their plea in the face of rejection. Their upper register vocalizations lead into a massive chorus, wherein Isis asks “baby, won’t you lay me down? / I’m begging for your mercy now.” Simultaneously emotionally raw and unflinchingly present, “MONKI” defies nearly all musical binaries, letting King Isis define themselves — and their music — on their own terms.
King Isis was just in town this past Sunday (February 25) supporting Mehro, but with previous appearances at events as big as Outside Lands and Afropunk and a big EP on the way, they’re sure to be back soon. Get into “MONKI” below.