Just in time for summer, the Los Angeles based duo Mob Rich has officially released its debut album, Why No Why.
Aching with anticipation, fans of Mob Rich have been waiting for an official album release from the group since it dropped its first single. While the duo has a pretty dense discography, it’s packed with EPs and singles, yet no albums — that is, until now.
The all-encompassing Why No Why has it all, incorporating never before heard tracks, and some of Mob Rich’s most popular releases. Earning a spot on the tracklist is the 2018 single, “Yoko Ono”, which has now garnered over 14 million Spotify streams. Also making it to the album is the 2020 single, “friends*“, which features Bishop Briggs for a collaboration that has pulled in over 2 million Spotify streams.
Amongst its discography are the projects titled, Songs We Didn’t Write and Songs We Didn’t Write Vol. 2, which showcase the group’s creativity, as they put their own spin on tracks by artists like Lizzo and Weezer.
If there’s one thing that the album proves, it’s that the members of Mob Rich don’t take themselves too seriously, and that’s always a welcomed approach. The angsty yet relatable themes of Why No Why don’t get too heavy when they’re set to bright synth chords and fun, electro-pop beats.
The album opens with “Dandy Liars,” a fitting track to bring listeners into the delightful realm that is Why No Why. Vibrant and perfectly saturated, “Dandy Liars” doesn’t just sound like an album opener, but a glowing sunrise to a new day. The track begins with a foreshadowing contrast between dark and light, executed by the sounds of glistening synths and a heavy, distorted synth loop.
Much like “Dandy Liars,” tracks like “Loser” and “Get High” sound sunny and full of life, yet thoroughly capture the feeling of youthful longing. While the lyrics in both tracks express insecurity and frustration, the optimistic and perky instrumentals that accompany them create a perfect aural paradox.
Similarly, “Funeral” details the struggle of overcoming inhibitions in order to grow and how hard it can be to change, even if it’s for the better. And although a weighty topic, the track is easily digestible and light, delivering its message through a catchy chorus of layered vocals and melodic synths.
Why No Why exemplifies duality. Lyrically, most of its tracks express the all-too-familiar feeling of teenage angst and being so held back by your own self-doubt that you are unable to grow. While musically, the tracks ooze with playful energy and excitement. With the combination of these elements, a pleasing contradiction is formed — the contradiction of youth. A contrast that says “I’m not okay, but I’ll be okay,” or as Mob Rich itself says in the track “Loser,” “Rough around the edges / But I’ll be okay.”
