Photo DIANA LUNGU
Setting the Records Straight is a new series where we ask our favorite artists to walk us through the most important and meaningful songs in their sprawling back catalogues.
This week’s MONO playlist is a prime example of how many life-long musicians would much rather look towards the present — the past five years, tops — than dwell on the past.
We can relate, although in MONO’s case, we’d be remiss to not remind you of such personal favorites as One Step More and You Die, You Are There, and the sorely overlooked World’s End Girlfriend session Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain. All of which ride the blurred line between darkness and light beautifully….
“Riptide”
Pilgrimage of the Soul
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2021)
When I listened to the playback at Electrical Audio after recording this, I felt one thing: This is the perfect opening song for our new album! It was like we were slashing off the pandemic world with a sword of solid sound, and rushing into a new world, filled with energy, to create a new world. —Hideki “Yoda” Suematsu
“Breathe”
Nowhere Now Here
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2019)
This was the song that was given to me by Taka to sing when we were in a difficult and uncertain situation in the band’s long history. Since this was my first vocal performance, I was confused, but I think we managed to express our feelings.
Our first performance of this song was at After Hours Festival in Shanghai. Since the show was sold out, I remember being so nervous; my heart felt like it was going to explode from the morning. —Tamaki Kunishi
“Imperfect Things”
Pilgrimage of the Soul
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2021)
With the beats put out on the whole surface, this song further evolved MONO’s sound from the past. The bass style and sounds are also different from what we usually play. I like the aggressive, fuzzy beats, but you can also feel the sorrow that’s unique to us and feels comfortable to play. —Tamaki
MONO & A.A. Williams, “Exit in Darkness”
Exit in Darkness
(Pelagic Records, 2019)
I was very excited about the idea of our music with Alex’s voice. We were in the middle of a very long tour with limited time to prepare for the recording and I remember tapping the drum parts out on my lap during several flights between shows.
Luckily it came together so effortlessly once we were all together. —Dahm Majuri Cipolla
“Nowhere, Now Here”
Beyond the Past: Live in London with the Platinum Anniversary Orchestra
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2021)
In 2017, we wandered through a long dark tunnel exhausted, unable to move and almost crushed by anger and suffering. But even then, we didn’t want to give up and wanted to move towards the light.
This song expresses this exact feeling we held then.
Much like “After You Comes the Flood”, it was also one of the first songs we rehearsed with Dahm for the first time in our studio.
I will remember how I wholeheartedly felt we were “now here” when we performed at our 20th anniversary show in London for the rest of my life. —Takaakira “Taka” Goto
“Heaven in a Wild Flower”
Pilgrimage of the Soul
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2021)
When we first started touring the US in early 2000, we couldn’t imagine what would happen in the future because we were traveling — just the four of us — for a very long time in a country we’ve never been to before.
There was no audience and even though there was anxiety, worries, and fear, we found happiness in the fact we could play shows every night with hope. Above all, we continued to believe in ourselves with a strong heart.
I wanted to express that this feeling was, much like William Blake’s poetry, “heaven in a wild flower”. —Taka
“Innocence”
Pilgrimage of the Soul
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2021)
Preparing for this song during the pandemic, the distance between band members and waiting for the birth of my daughter was a very intense combination. I feel the emotions of this together is felt very strongly in the performance. —Dahm
“After You Comes the Flood”
Nowhere Now Here
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2019)
This was the first song I worked on when first joining MONO, and will always make me think of our beginning together. Working out the drum patterns was challenging, and very exciting for me and my new place in the band. —Dahm
“The Auguries”
Pilgrimage of the Soul
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2021)
This is a song that progresses with a very tense development, but my guitar phrase remains minimal from the start to the end. It really requires concentration to play whilst being aware of each part that is intricately intertwined — almost like a monk praying. —Yoda
“Hold Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand”
Pilgrimage of the Soul
(Temporary Residence Ltd., 2021)
With the new album, I wanted to express our journey over the last 20 years. This song is a portrayal of the moment where we head to the end of our journey, much like Paul Coelho’s book The Alchemist. I also wanted to express love and gratitude for the world and everything. —Taka
