In a world saturated with carefully manicured pop, there’s a refreshing honesty in the raw, unfiltered expression of Mongeeya's debut EP, 'Listen To This'. The Boorloo-based First Nations rock outfit, led by frontman Zac James, has crafted a body of work that is as much a personal diary as it is a powerful political statement. Following their September single 'Sea', this six-track EP is a reflective journey through self-empowerment, trauma, healing, and family.
Zac James, proud of his Wonguktha and Yamaji culture, channels his lived history and heritage into every note. "‘Listen to This’ has been developing for the past few years, inspired by my experiences and lived history as a First Nations man," he explains. The DNA of his heritage and Tjukurpa (Dreaming) is woven into the fabric of the EP, giving it a depth that’s often missing in modern music. The band, with Zac, Tao Issaro, Ursula Ross, and Jeremy Thomson, expertly blends protest-fuelled indie rock with dusty, vulnerable folk, embodying the grit of their live shows.
The EP, recorded with producer Dave Pensabene, includes the previously released 'Sea', a blunt social commentary on breaking free from oppression, and a collection of new material. The focus track, 'Try', is a slow-building promise of love and reliance. On it, Zac bravely shares, “‘Try’ is about the often lonely fight against invisible pain - mental health in a relationship. It’s a cry for help and a vow to stand with those impacted by mental health.” This vulnerability is what makes Mongeeya's music so compelling.
One of the most powerful moments on 'Listen To This' comes from the inclusion of traditional Tjupan language on the track 'Warpaint'. This song, penned as both a battle cry and a call to action, viciously condemns racism drawn from first-hand experience. The dense guitar work drives a unison chant of "Always Was, Always Will Be", a powerful assertion of Indigenous sovereignty.
Inspired by world events and the fight of Indigenous Australians for freedom, 'Listen To This' is rough around the edges in all the right places. It's an unfiltered expression, drenched in powerful imagery and delivered with a raw emotion that will resonate long after the final note fades. It’s a call to action and a testament to the power of storytelling through music.
You can listen to the full EP above, and for more, be sure to follow the band on Instagram and TikTok.
