Exploring personal identity and society’s push to mold and suppress true individuality, “Prettier Things (Pretend I’m a Man)” is a standout track from Minus World. The Nova Scotia-based band seamlessly navigate between debonair, funk-touched introspection and catchy rock vigor. An infectious indie-rock, stylish synth-pop, and sophisti-pop allure meld enjoyably here.
The track’s “mirrors are never what they seem” vocal intrigue moves into an enjoyably chorus, with twangy guitars and “just pretend that I’m a man” allure into the expressive wordless vocals. The “whoa-oh” passion pairs with bouncy bass, melodic guitars, and an overall magnetic production for a replay-inducing immersion, succeeding in both its colorful production and relatable societal perceptions. The lyricism consumes in capturing a tension between self-perception and external expectation, showing how societal pressure can mask true identity.
“Prettier Things (Pretend I’m a Man)” comes via the band’s upcoming album, Last Dance, out on October 10th. They elaborate further on its uniqueness, production-wise, and how that was influenced by the track’s thematic emphasis: “On the production side, this is the only song from our forthcoming album that has no backing vocals or doubling at all. This was a deliberate choice to reflect the solitude that is often felt by those with similar experiences.”
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
