Me & Munich (Jan Steiniche Petersen on vocals and rhythm guitar and Michael Tagesen on lead guitar, bass and backing vocals) are deep thinkers.
When they last featured in these pages, in October 2024, their subject was the human propensity for ‘Rumination’ (the song title) – getting lost in your own thoughts and worries, resulting in self-destructive torment and “losing the pulse of life in the present moment.”
Carpe diem mortuus est in Latin?
We identified it as “an XTC track, sort of punk-lite.”
They return to NMC 22 months later with a new single ‘Wasteland’, the first taste of their forthcoming third album, due for release in October.
‘Wasteland’ seems to follow on naturally from ‘Rumination’, being a song about reclaiming inner strength in a world that often pulls you in the opposite direction. Its message is equally simple: don’t let hardship or fear make you emotionally numb. Our ability to feel deeply, stay true to ourselves, and embrace our emotions is what ultimately makes us strong.
I sense that Me & Munich are cornering the market in identity, resilience, hope and self-help recordings.
Despair in its various forms is represented as physical sickness – “Just a few more allergies / Then I’m immune for myself”. I wonder if “immune from myself” might have purveyed the message more pointedly. Or perhaps I’m missing the point.
Musically it is heavy going early on as the scene is set, with a bass line that sounds as if it is stuck in treacle, but it portrays worldly despair perfectly. You can close your eyes and see words like Trump, Putin, Ukraine, drone, ballistic missile, Iran, Hormuz, Palestine, even Greenland floating past.
They still manage to conjure up another jangly guitar punk-lite melody though and complete with a rousing chorus and guitar led outro that go so well with the philosophy.
Most satisfying of all though are the distinctive 1980s vibes. It would have slotted perfectly into that era.
Find them on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meandmunichband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meandmunichband/
