MUNA

Los Angeles trio MUNA’s crystal-clear pop music delivers themes of fun and excitement from queer perspectives. They first came to wide attention in 2016 with their infectious single “I Know a Place.” The song peaked in the Top 40 of the Billboard Adult Pop Music chart, paving the way for albums like 2017′s About U, 2019′s Saves the World, and 2022′s MUNA, their first release with Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory label.
Formed in 2013 by vocalist Katie Gavin, guitarist/vocalist Naomi McPherson, and guitarist/vocalist Josette Maskin, who met while studying at the University of Southern California, MUNA quickly put together their debut EP, More Perfect. Released in mid-2014, the set brought together their love of ’80s new wave and synth pop, R&B, and modern left-field pop. The trio spent the next year writing new material — signing to RCA in the U.S. and National Anthem in the U.K. in the process — before releasing their sophomore EP, Loudspeaker, in May 2016. By the end of the year, MUNA had recorded their debut album, with the resulting About U appearing in early 2017. Co-produced by the band and Dan Grech-Marguerat (Radiohead, Lana Del Rey), and featuring the single “I Know a Place,” it reached the Top Ten of Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart. A follow-up non-album single, “In My Way,” arrived in September of that year, just as they joined Harry Styles on tour. In 2019, the group returned with a more heavy-hearted sophomore full-length, Saves the World, matching the Heatseekers chart success of its predecessor. After signing with Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory imprint in 2021, MUNA issued the single “Silk Chiffon,” which featured a guest appearance from Bridgers and appeared on the group’s self-titled fourth long-player in 2022. ~ Rich Wilson