Nowadays, music has to catch your ear within seconds to work in the world of clicks and likes. With their new single Call Me Honey, INSA shows how pop music can communicate important messages. A catchy tune for social change – is that possible?
When catchy tunes come together with an uncomfortable truth, this is nothing new or unusual. Pop music has always been used to proclaim socio-political issues and will hopefully continue to do so. That is good, right and important. Edutainment is the fine art of entertaining and teaching in equal measure without being didactic.
In her latest song, Hamburg-based musician INSA (in capital letters) talks about the various forms of harassment that trans women experience in everyday life. It’s about catcalling and objectification. The dazzling beat initially makes listeners unconsciously think of a trivial party song. But amid the light music, INSA speaks clearly. This piece of pop music is intended to bring about a change in everyone’s behaviour.
While the harassment is initially addressed with a wink, the play picks up speed in the middle and INSA clearly shows that this behaviour is not acceptable. She does not want to lecture or tar all men with the same brush, but she does want to make it clear that this behaviour is not okay.
A pop song to improve the world
Personally, I wasn’t convinced by the single. The EP Retrospect, which was released with five tracks, was good to listen to. But INSA still hasn’t quite made me a fan. The tracks are well produced, but in my opinion they lack something distinctive. I’m waiting for the real kick and the moment when I ask myself, ‘Hey, what’s going on here?’ Call Me Honey gave me hope for rough edges, which are also very slight. But unfortunately only very slight. I would have liked the track to be more combative and louder.
However, our little survey on Instagram showed that you like the song, and the editorial team is also enthusiastic about Call Me Honey. Andreas and Sandra like the song because of its melody and rhythm. It’s a beautiful indie pop song.
Fotocredit by Alyssa Rodriguez
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