The inspiration for a song can often be found in the most unexpected places. It can be found in the most everyday events or the most unusual experiences; everything around us speaks differently to each of us, so much so that, if properly attuned and constantly aware, you might find the most amazing message in even the most everyday or unexpected places. And that is the case here.
Monique Grimme found her creative catalyst while watching the performances of Olympic figure skater Ilia Malinin, a source of precision and grace, but also something deeper, too. Not that there is anything everyday or ordinary about such a talented athlete, but perhaps not everyone would look beyond the surface and find such a profound idea at her core: the idea that it is often the thing we most fear that drives us on to greatness.
With each new release, Grimme continues to evolve. What began within the familiar contours of pop-rock is steadily, and often quite boldly, shifting into more adventurous and, as here, more globally infused territory. With this latest single, she embraces a richer sonic palette, moving beyond convention into something far more distinctive, far more unique.
“Make Fear Work For You” is built on shuffling, seductive rhythms, underpinned by subtle arabesque grooves, and where the guitar would be the standard sound for most western music; here, she strikes out towards more exotic and oriental sonic climes, and the sound of the Oud strikes a very recognizable and specific sound. This blend of those North African strings and the lilting beat of eastern beat carries us far away from the place we have found her in the past.
Vocally, Grimme strikes a compelling balance. There is a soulful, dance-pop sensibility at the forefront, yet it is interwoven with more intricate and mellifluous world-music influences, textured choral layers, and the warmth and spice of another place and perhaps another time. The result is a vocal performance that feels both accessible and exotic.
Lyrically, the song blends modern world language with a message that is ultimately timeless. While its origins may lie in that very specific inspiration, its core idea of confronting fear and turning it into a driving determination is something we can all relate to, or at least, wish we could adopt for ourselves. As the vocals seem to drift across the lone and level sands, we are empowered by this simple idea lying at the heart of the song.
As Monique Grimme becomes increasingly adventurous, we, the listeners, are carried further and further away from the familiar and the conformist. We are asked to abandon our comfort zones and follow her through the various sounds and styles, across genres and geography, as she leads us to, well, who knows where. It is music that can take us places, open new ideas, explore the unknown…but then, isn’t the whole point of making music, I mean music that really means something?