Following up on the release of her 2018’s sophomore EP 100%, Los Angeles musician Jen Hirsh, better known as MONOGEM, returns with a dreamy and retro Spanish-language new track which celebrates, for the first time, her Guadalajaran roots. The artist, who is also an advocate for gender fluidity, considers the song as the beginning of a new era. In her own words:

[su_quote]A time where I feel comfortable to explore my Mexican heritage through my art. The song describes the feeling of change… almost a catharsis. The writing process of Soy Lo Que Soy was emotional and informative, but above all, has made me realize that I only am what I am, and always will be. For years, I’ve struggled with my identity as a half Mexican woman growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles. I have vivid memories of my grandmother, Hortensia, speaking to me in Spanish telling me to never forget my roots, never stop speaking, learning and keeping the culture alive. For me, it’s an honor to write music in Spanish… a language that was such an integral part of my upbringing. This song is for my abuela as much as it is for me.[/su_quote]

There is now an accompanying Avery Wheless-directed video that MONOGEM described as a “shiny Chicana wonderland”. Watch below. Watch below.

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Pastel pink chewingum and matching sweater-realness we serve you in our pop-oriented Deer Du Bois playlist this week!

In his M&S tshirt Rhumba Club makes his appearance on this love “Reunion”. While new comer Arlo once again will “Shake The Room” on his second single.

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VŌS takes us to the electro club night with their anthem for “Patience”, together with Nelly’s Crush on “Sellout Youth”, our up-lifters of the week.

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Pure hyper-beating dance-pop with sweaty afro funk comes our way from the incomparable Clypso on “YOLO”. And Dena is back to surprise us with “Part Time Love”, her take on James Blake‘s “Life Round here”. Lastly, move your head to the story of push and pull between the head and heart, with Monogem‘s ballad “100%”.

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If you want to drink a bit more of Deer Du Bois until you get tipsy, you should check him on Facebook and Soundcloud, and follow his regular posts on our site.

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Starting slowly, the tracks installs a sweet yet effective connection. The energy grows slowly until the climax where it is impossible not to dance. The track wants to create the impression of a feeling that it is contained until the moment when you can’t hold it inside of you any longer, repeating to itself its own message “Same as I ever was, I do it all because, life’s too short to not live wild.”

About “Wild,” Monogem explains:

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I wrote Wild as an anthem for myself and for anyone who has a hard time finding rest in being reckless. It takes hold of that childlike spirit within you and puts it on centre stage – unapologetically daring you to live up to your own standard.

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You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud.