I probably said as much when I put pen to paper for Monique Grimme‘s previous single, “Honey Gold,” but having established herself with a signature, sophisticated sound built where poised pop and elegant rock meet and merge, she already seems happy to leave that behind and head into more sonically adventurous climes. And if that were the case with the previous release, it is doubly so with “I Will Be Alright.”
The sense of sophistication and texture is still present, but this song seems to take a turn into more exotic quarters, grooving on almost Afro-beat vibes and shot through with stunning and soulful choral salvos. The switch between Grimme’s powerful yet solo deliveries and the sonic roar of the mass vocals gives the song its unique dynamic, at turns quiet or anthemic, a voice in the wilderness or full-throated majesty, sometimes reflective, always defiant.
And even though Monique Grimme is able to find inspiration all around her, this song comes from the most unlikely of places. Following a Zoom conversation with Fab Morvan, one-half of the pop duo Milli Vanilli, and hearing his unwavering quest to realise his dreams, the idea for the song was born.
“I Will Be Alright” is, Monique Grimme explains, “both a tribute to Fab Morvan’s inspiring journey and an anthem for dreamers everywhere. The single is dedicated to those who refuse to let go of their aspirations, echoing [his] resilience and his message of hope”.
Few, I suspect, could listen to the song and not come away from it empowered, uplifted, and inspired by its energy. A blend of driving pop groove and neo-classical grace, the sweeping ranks of voices reminiscent of Karl Jenkins orchestral work, and an ability to move between isolation and euphoria, “I Will Be Alright” is perhaps Monique Grimme’s most surprising and sophisticated song to date.
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