Monkey Robot War - Paris // Paris (Rebuttal)

By: Taylor Beals

Monkey Robot War, the four-piece outfit hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan is back with a pair of tracks that are just as catchy as they are introspective.  Paris, and its companion track Paris (Rebuttal), are biting retorts to one another that take us on a journey through the mind of frontman and lead vocalist, Nate Johnivan. Set to a backdrop of blistering guitar lines and a driving rhythm section, the band’s sound and style evoke emo-punk mainstays like Jimmy Eat World, Brand New and Manchester Orchestra, as well more modern acts like Modern Baseball, Spanish Love Songs or fellow Michiganders, Hot Mulligan.

While on first listen, Rebuttal may just sound like a simple reworking of Paris, stripped down to the basics, upon further plays, a more intricate and intimate story can be discovered that creates a listening experience that is greater than the sum of its parts.  From the opening line of Paris, “I brought you up to my doctor. She tried to silence you with pills,” we start to hear the internal battle being set up.  This is statement is quickly and aptly refuted with the counter line “You brought me up to your doctor.  You tried to silence me with pills” on Rebuttal.  This tension is further amplified with a gauntlet being thrown down by both parties.  “Fight me like a man!” they taunt back and forth at each other, as if trying to goad the other to making the first move of aggression.  In his own words, Johnivan describes the tracks as depicting what it’s like to have an enemy living inside you, something that can be felt viscerally by the listener.

Both Paris and Rebuttal, when listened next to one another, paint a picture of the internal struggle that so many with mental illness face on a daily basis.  Juxtaposed against one another, this angst and animosity can be felt in clap-back lines such as “You said it just to be mean.” vs. “I said it because you’re weak.”  The songs conclude, not with the ending of the feud, but rather the pinnacle, leaving the listener to draw their own conclusions about the resolution, or whether there is any resolution at all.  “Winner gets control of this conflicted soul. Fight me like a man!”

Monkey Robot War expertly weaves deep and thought-provoking lyricism with upbeat, catchy guitar work and classic pop-punk sensibilities.  Johnivan’s vocals display the raw emotion one has come to expect and love from the scene, with him citing inspiration from newcomers like Phoebe Bridgers, to emo icons like Bright Eyes.  Guitarist Justin Suarez creates captivating and memorable hooks that will have you keep coming back for more while Jason Kienke (drums) and Randy Deyoung (bass) flesh out the rhythm.  According to the members of the band, “Monkey Robot War is the product of four friends that love hanging out, having a few beers, and shredding off the stress of a workday… to light the spectrum of a basic middle-class life, from despair to wonder.”  This ethos is on full display throughout their music and songwriting, particularly on Paris and Paris (Rebuttal), and I for one am looking forward to seeing what the Grand Rapids foursome has in store for the future.

Check out Paris and Paris (Rebuttal), and everything else Monkey Robot War here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3IbNYoKQv537A9YE3X7F8n?si=rRN7w6pITYmSOF8Lj2UnJw