Music With Michele – “We’re The Assholes Now”

Music With Michele – “We’re The Assholes Now” – Single Review

Ohhhhhhh so many things to say about this…where to start…where to start?

Let’s go with a positive to kick things off.  I love the fact that Music With Michele has tried something undeniably new compared to what we’ve heard from her catalog so far in the past.  I’m always going to advocate on behalf of trying new things, because it’s artistically rewarding, and there are limitless combinations of what you can do.  Any one thing will get a little tired after a while, and in my personal opinion, it’s a good idea to switch things up every so often to at least find out what you’re capable of, or to keep things fresh & exciting in your creative process.  Doing new things opens new doors of opportunity for the future in what you create, and of course that’s always going to be a good thing.

Having said that, experimentation is always going to have its ups and downs…that’s the nature of the game – but you don’t know what does or doesn’t work unless you try, right?  Whether or not I think something works doesn’t really matter…if you enjoy the freedom of doing things differently, you’ll find that becomes quite addictive and FUN.  Honestly, if that’s the case, then it really doesn’t matter what I or anyone else would have to say about the results from there.  If you enjoy doing something, then keep on doin’ it…simple as that.  For myself personally in listening to “We’re The Assholes Now,” I’d say it probably isn’t really my style of sound this time around…I mean heck, Music With Michele has almost got a show-tune of sorts complete with Jazz-hands in this new single.  Do I like some things about it?  Of course.  Do I appreciate the diversity it brings to her catalog of music made with Davey Munch?  For sure.  I don’t need to love something in order to feel like it’s still a step in the right direction, you feel me?  The sheer fact that these two have branched out further than we’ve heard them do before is incredibly valuable to their future ahead on a creative level…like I was saying, songs like this will actually open doors for them.  I also like the fact that “We’re The Assholes Now” has a distinct point of view, yet it’s also got a playful vibe to it all…that makes for good contrast & such.  I have always had a tougher time with the playful side of music…in fact, I had a troll this very morning tell me that I take things too seriously (they ain’t wrong) – it’s just my nature, and I’ve always felt it’s harder to make upbeat material connect to us all as strongly as the connection to melancholy melodies can be.  Anyhow – melancholy really ain’t Michele’s brand, you feel me?  Music With Michele has already revealed a whole catalog of quirky tunes that are no doubt a solid reflection of who she is & the fun she likes to have with life…think of tracks like “Otter Space” & “Sunflowers” for example.  A curmudgeon I might be, or a person that takes music too seriously for sure – I still respect the mission people are on, always.  Michele loves to bring some happiness to the world in whatever ways she can through that playful side of her music, and in that respect, you’ll find that’s a part of this new single that’s completely on-brand when it comes to how it’s sung and how it all sounds.

The harmonies in the chorus are objectively freakin’ great, and I really think Davey did a tremendous job in reigning himself in just enough to still have something fun & unique, yet also focused in a more tangibly cohesive way that most listeners would actually be able to follow – which is kind of a crucial switch for this duo really.  I also dig the organ that’s in this tune along the way…and usually I don’t love organ all that much to be honest.  The design of the song itself all works…and in many ways, “We’re The Assholes Now” is more of a straightforward tune than a lot of what we’ve heard from Music With Michele in the past in that whole verse/chorus/verse type manner…ultimately, I think that could be more appealing to the masses overall.

Where I would tell you that this song finds its best results, is going to be within the lyricism this time around.  I’ll be real with you and say that’s partly because I happen to agree with a lot of what she’s singing about, but it’s also because Music With Michele gets more personal and real with you on this particular song compared to a lot of what we’ve heard in the past catalog as well.  Obviously, being from the other side of the border in the land that #47 has threatened to annex…I mean…it’d be hard not to agree with this song for its politics – the USA has become the assholes now, and that’s something that’s being felt worldwide due to its intensified isolationist policies.  Pretty easy to understand really…the USA is that kid on the playground that wants to take their ball & go home.  So we’re left with two options – we can cry about that and chase after them, or we can simply let’em go.  I don’t see many countries out there clamoring to support the agenda of the current administration, and that makes complete & total sense to me.  What I do see, is a bunch of countries that didn’t talk to each other as much as they should have in the past starting to band together to forge a new pathway forward, leaving behind the hegemon that is now insisting on isolating themselves…and so be it.  We didn’t choose this, we’re responding to a new reality – but yes, at the same time, we understand that’s a reality thrust upon many of its own citizens as well.  “We’re The Assholes Now” is a reflection of so much of this, knowing that the USA has turned into somewhat of a global pariah – but to be clear, I think the rest of the globe is incredibly realistic about the FACT that there are SO MANY good people caught in the crosshairs of this bullshit.

I can actually tell you this firsthand, because I broke Canadian protocol last night and dared to brave my way into the USA just yesterday.  Sorry to my Canadian brothers and sisters…I bought concert tickets in April of 2024 long before the election, and that was a bucket list show I wasn’t gonna miss for any type of politics.  Anyhow.  In crossing the border, I actually encountered a border guard that actually sang some Madness for me & my wife – can you believe that?  In the middle of asking us why we were going to the USA, he starts explaining how he’s still in his Ska-era, and he’s bringing back Madness – you know, “our house, in the middle of our street” – THAT band.  Singing it out loud.  Laughing.  With us.  We’d spent the morning somewhat terrified of going down south, and this is what we ran into.  It was such a positive reminder that the politics of a country can be complete shite – but the people don’t have to be that way.  Sure, there are always going to be some – we have them here in Canada too believe it or not – but I like to think most folks just want to get along.  We were mind-blown by this border guard & how welcoming he was after all that has gone on.  The same was true of the show we saw – I honestly don’t think I’ve stood next to two nicer random strangers even here in my own country.  On each side of myself and my wife, were to incredibly amazing people, Demetrius and Eric, and it was genuinely awesome to meet them both – we talked to them all night long non-stop around the music being played.  For those of you that know me well…despite all my rantings and ravings here on these pages of ours – I’m socially awkward AF, and not all that much of a talker.  So you get where I’m coming from – these two dudes were absolutely amazing, and their friendliness brought me outta my shell, willingly.  It was genuinely refreshing to have such a positive reaction and be reminded that we can’t always count on our “leadership,” – but more often than not, we can still count on each other to be good people.

I suppose this is all a roundabout way of saying that, we know who the assholes REALLY are – and spoiler alert, they ain’t people like Michele or Davey.  So while I appreciate that she’s taken some ownership of the situation with the extended title of this single being “We’re The Assholes Now (An Apology To Humanity)” – I think I can speak on behalf of the whole fucking planet when I say it’s not an apology from this fine lady that we need or deserve.  It might feel like an eternity, but time will eventually prove Michele is on the right side of history, and speaking up at a moment where it truly matters.  I’ve got nothing but respect for that.  “Don’t let good relations shatter,” as she says herself…and she’s right.  In my personal view, the folks down south in the USA that have empathy…that care…that stand up for the rights of themselves and their friends around them…they need our help and understanding more than ever before – and we should BE THERE for them in their time of need.  Because it’s not like we don’t have an idea of what they’re going through – we read about it every. single. day. – to the point where I’m completely sure we’re all extremely tired of it.  What we don’t want to be, is shocked into being socially submissive though…and I think songs like “We’re The Assholes Now” are proof that the spirit of the American people is remarkably resilient and ready to speak up in opposition to what’s clearly wrong.

So…jeez…I’ve written a novel here.  It’s pretty simple to me.  “We reject these fascist guys,” as Michele says.  I’m not giving up on the people of the United States just because I can’t fucking stand #47 & think he’s a cancer on the planet…and I don’t get the sense that Michele is giving up either.  In fact, I know she’s not, because that’s how songs like this get made, and we need them more now than we have in a very, very long time.  Reject fascism.  Reject racism.  Reject hate.  Seems easy enough, right?  We’ll get to that place again…you can already see the rest of the globe shifting towards center-left to become the counterweight we need politically at this crucial crossroads in history.  Taking your ball and going home is pretty damn lonely compared to having a planet full of friends to play with…I’m confident that the USA will realize that sooner than later, and respond by throwing the REAL asshole, out of office for good.

Find out more about Music With Michele at this multi-link here:  https://linktr.ee/Musicwithmichele

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