While their last album was released in 2012 according to their Spotify, Loo & Monetti are back with a new single titled “No More”. Along with it they bring a more minimalistic soundscape that feels less funky and more post-apocalyptic.
They begin with a soft lull of synth with an isolated sprinkle of words:
No more
more
no more addiction
and more
more
need more affection
To Loo & Monetti, love and attention are part of the solution to addictions, whatever they may be. While it may not be the only thing needed, affection and support can help someone fight addiction. I like how simply they lay out their idea for this piece with such a simple start. It’s a smart way to leave room to build from here, which they do by adding in a cascade of rolling piano notes and various percussion such as claps and hi-hats.
As they sing again, the piano fades away, leaving the synth and a steady bass beat:
If you were here
I’d take you in my arms
my arms
I’d take you
This part comes off as quite tragic to me. It reminds me of something you’d feel if a loved one passed away from such a devastating thing as addiction. There’s nothing that can be done anymore but wish you had known how much they were struggling. You might never have even known they struggled with addiction until after the fact. You feel sorrow and, maybe, even a twinge of guilt.
You know it’s not your fault, but you just wish you could feel them in your arms once again and make it all go away, even if just for a little while.
They begin the refrain, repeating twice as they reiterate their longing:
My arms
my arms
I’d take you
As the refrain carries on the piano surges back into the mix, signifying to me the mixed cocktail of emotions such as outrage, sorrow, and even anhedonia that you go through when losing a loved one.
In the next section, Loo & Monetti seem to come to a mixture of grief and anger:
It’s such a sorrow
it’s not our say to go
with you on this road
it’s not our say to go
They reflect on the unpredictably of life and tragedy of this; you’ll never be able to accurately predict how or when things will end, no matter what road you may or may not take. In this section, the piano once again drops out, leaving claps that ominously remind me of a handgun being loaded. It’s yet another reminder of how life can be gone in the blink of an eye.
Finally, Loo & Monetti seem to reframe the situation, coming to a stage of acceptance:
Want more
more
more revelations
then more
more
more imperfections
Loo & Monetti realize that none of us are perfect. They accept this and want and even expect imperfections of others in hopes that it would help people come forward with their addictions. Addiction can be hard to face, and I imagine it can even feel pointless if you feel like people would shame you for it rather than bring you in closer and ask how they can help.
Loo & Monetti end their piece with the refrain, this time feeling like it’s both a cry of longing for a lost loved one and a new cry to help others with their current struggles. They may not be able to bring back a loved one, but hopefully they can prevent this from happening again.
