If any song could recreate the feeling of a gold star sticker on your kindergarten homework, Miru Song’s song (yea, a bit of a tongue-twister) “You’re Doing Great” might just be it.
With his home in South Korea, but his heart in the UK, Miru Song’s travel between the two inspires his English discography. This also may explain why his voice reminds me of King Krule, an English artist whose voice is unafraid of widening and warbling into a melodic line; they also share a shocking depth and bass.
At other moments, Miru Song encapsulates a more refined indie sound in the style of Cass McCombs or Alex Turner (I was pleasantly surprised to see he covered my favorite Alex Turner song on his instagram) which stands particularly strong in this single, which is more anthemic than expressive in quality.
“You’re Doing Great” off his EP My Love Ain’t Going Anywhere is a song of encouragement and approval, the kind of message the jaded side of you will want to scorn as corny, while your inner child – the one who still remembers the high of the gold star – strains to listen on.
You’re doing great
No matter what you tell yourself
You’re good enough as you are
The infusion of jazz elements, brassy and unapologetic, sharpen the song’s otherwise droning, molasses-y sound. The light incorporation of gospel elements invoke the style of 90’s fusion jazz band Light & Salt (빛과 소금) and artist G-Soul, as well as sharing themes similar to “Have You Been Good to Yourself” by Johnnie Frierson.
Perhaps what makes Miru Song stand out the most is the natural lean toward Britrock that seems to slur his sound to the genre. While “You’re Doing Great” on its own only has hints of it, the progression of the EP circles the drain of the UK underground, the raspish shout-singing of “The Time I Find to Shine” sharing the grim, lush sound of Irish band Fontaines D.C (which while not a part of the UK, is only an hour’s flight from Liverpool, where Miru Song geotags his posts).
You’re fucking great
You ain’t need nothing more
You’re good enough as you are
We don’t deserve someone just like you-u-u-u
The true downfall of songs such as these tend to be the repetition; as the “you-u-u”s fall into echoing submission, the song is one line repeat away from a skip, but Miru Song navigates the dynamic changes with slow but mindful maneuvering.
There’s no way out of your head
Things just stay out of your hands
Not going to lose that easily
The melodic change accompanying the deep, grumping line, “There’s no way out of your head,” is like vinegar on a cut, stinging yet healing. Then the bridge light like the neosporin that follows:
Life throws things your way
So why don’t we just say
to each other for now…
“You’re doing great!” you can now easily sing along; here the repetition becomes welcome as your heart is soothed.
The dynamic change lifts the song out of muddy waters, the ultimate sound pleasantly swampish and foggy with light gusts of cool air to change the temperature.
While this song is easily playlistable, and has been pretty successful in cheering my friends up with a simple text, Miru Song has even more to offer. Luckily the accompanying video starts with this song for your listening ease, but then continues into the entirety of the EP. I encourage you to at least listen to the first – but especially to continue on and hear the whole EP.
And I hope that whether you like the song or not, you at least heard the message. You’re doing great, no matter what you tell yourself. You’re good enough as you are. We don’t deserve someone just like you-u-u-u.
