Released right around the beginning of many Shelter in Place orders, Tokimonsta’s “Renter’s Anthem” could not have come at a better time. This throwback house track emerged just as people were having their income taken away yet still facing the merciless demands of that same income from landlords. Renting has possibly never been more difficult, and it has given a huge number of people a taste of the precarious experience that low income people have had all along. With these troubles comes the possibility of this new wave of discontents banding together to fight off the senseless demands of landlords. “Renter’s Anthem” feels an optimistic marching song for solidarity among renters worldwide.
This song features driving drums and uniquely gated vocals repeating, “Are you hanging on?” For many, the knee-jerk answer to this would be “No!” Yet seeing as the song release was accompanied with a message from the artist to, “keep spreading love and positivity, we all need it right now,” this song seems to ask us to reflect on the ways that we are indeed hanging on in spite of it all. Fans of Yaeji will definitely enjoy the nostalgia for 90’s house and general cheeriness presented on this track. What’s all the more impressive about this song is that it comes out after Tokimonsta’s brain surgeries for Moyamoya disease, after which she lost language and music comprehension. As she regained these abilities, she had a triumphant return with 2017’s Lune Rouge and now comes back again on the new album Oasis Nocturno. Hopefully us renters will show the same perseverance that she has. ❤
Freeing Music 