“Are You Equally Weird???” by Nona Problemo – A Song Feature

 

     Putting a definition to almost any genre sits somewhere between difficult and near impossible. Glen McDonald defused some of the controversy by taking the extremely time-consuming approach of creating an interactive genre map, which even includes sample songs for most genres. His map is available at http://www.furia.com/misc/genremaps/engenremap.html.
 
     The term “New Wave” is particularly subject to debate, since it was originally more of an invasion than a genre. If other genres are umbrellas, New Wave is more of a circus tent. In discussions about whether a newly released song is New Wave, it is more productive to merely identify the characteristics of the song that are consistent with New Wave sensibilities.
 
     Applying that logic to “Are You Equally Weird​?​?​?,” the song from Nona Problemo possesses characteristics aligned with 1980s New Wave. The song features the synth, a staple of New Wave. And it can fairly be described as quirky. Often, New Wave songs include fast tempo guitars and a stop-start sequence – which fit the Nona Problemo single.
 
     The band members of Nona Problemo are Jenske Verhamme (bass), Nona Huysegems (guitar), Sigi Willems (vocals, synth), and Tijs Fastré (percussion). They are from Leuven, Belgium. Their explanation of their single is quirkier than the song:
  “In their third single ‘Are You Equally Weird???,’ Nona Problemo reaches out to their non-human allies in their shared struggle against climate change. In order to get to know our mysterious friends, the animals and plants, a bit better, the band believes we should all become some kind of DIY-scientists. Instead of using technology and the screens that surrounds us to stay immersed in an endless stream of antropocentric, mind-controlling entertainment, let's start fabricating equipment and art which allows us to communicate with the non-human world, to inquire about their needs and desires. This 'science for the 99%' might help us to discover that, indeed, we, the inhabitants of Planet Earth, are all 'equally weird' after all...
 
     “Are You Equally Weird​?​?​?” by Nona Problemo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NonaProblemo
Bandcamp: https://nonaproblemo.bandcamp.com/album/nona-problemo
 
Lyrics of “Are You Equally Weird​?​?​?” by Nona Problemo
Can you call me I'm not fine?
I'm drowning in the city signs
So I look up into the sky
To see the sun and the moon collide
 
Would you change your state of mind?
The outsider scientist life
We should do more useless stuff
'Cause what's the use of usefulness
 
Whomever talks to ladybirds
Is considered a lunatic
But it is fun to think about
No control of our own minds
 
Just take it slow
Open up to multiple worlds
Just listen to
Miraculous plants, they reason and dance
Just look around
To see your friends, not shadows of friends
Just don't be afraid
Of all those things between your toes
 
Despite my confusing words
You decided to stay a while
I know we've only just met
But can you help me find my cats?
 
Between the ruins lost in time
Colourful mushrooms all around
They say they're deadly poisonous
They say they make you fall in love
 
Investigation never ends
But even in your dreams we die
It is when the flood arrives
No more escape to our screens
 
Are you equally weird???
Like really equally weird???
Like really really equally weird???
Are you equally weird???
[Repeating]