‘Where’s The Peace’ is the newest song by the multicultural band MonkeyRat with Anna Iachino on vocals and as songwriter. This song is completely different in style from all the previous track releases of the group, an upbeat track that blends all sorts of western and rhythms of African origin and singing for unity and peace.
In this piece, Anna pushed herself to new imaginaries as to where a MonkeyRat work could be, and chose to work with all members of the MonkeyRat collective: Arnold Ludvig from the Faroe Islands, Jens Stoklund from Denmark, Alain Apaloo from Togo, and special guest Ayi Solomon, also from Ghana. This collaborative approach underscores the message of the track: togetherness, harmony among extremely diversified groups of people, irrespective of age and culture.
Starting with an upbeat drum, the song instantly captures the listeners with the fun bass line as well. Anna’s voice has airiness and is soothing, giving a hint of consolation, while singing the words some people around the world need. Notes of the children’s laughter included in the track serve as a reminder that peace is needed for children to remain children.
The bridge which resides on wholly African rhythm, coupled with native drumming takes the song to a new realm thanks for Ayi Solomon. The raw vocals and animalistic beats they put in the track gives it a real vibration that makes everything sound more real. I have found that all these aspects coalesce and make ‘Where’s The Peace’ one progressive auditory treat that evokes response from the feet and heart.
The process is well polished and orderly so each timbre is clear and contributes to the making of the jingle or song. The percussive notes are playful while the bass line and layered synths have a real punch and, although each component of the track seems to have been produced deliberately, the whole thing has a fluidity which feels very live.
