Over the past few months, Noah McBeth (aka NoMBe) has shown that he’s an artist who has really found his sound, and it’s one that we’ve enjoyed immensely here at TMR. We’ve covered no less than ten of his tracks and ‘Man Up’ makes that eleven. Looking back over his discography, there’s a continuous theme of sexual magnetism (‘Freak Like Me’ and ‘Sex’ are great examples) and electronic soul, two forces that combine in uptempo celebration in this new song. Twisting a gendered phrase on it’s head, ‘Man Up’ has a catchy chorus that leaves no room for guessing; “this world was never meant for us, it’s for the girls and children, first amendment.” Here’s a musician, secure in his identity as both an artist and cis-male who isn’t afraid to say that the majority of the world’s problems have been instituted by men, but by working together in equality there’s a hope. It’s no wonder that McBeth is drawn to the seventies aesthetic of those guitars, which pick up messages of peace from the past. Now, ‘Man Up’ isn’t actually a stand alone single, it’s part of a new album, called They Might’ve Even Loved Me, and by the way, Elton John’s a fan. However, for us ‘Man Up’ is the best new addition to the LP, because the first half of live drums, psychedelic production, and ‘70s guitars is exactly why we love NoMBe, but then the song evolves into a bass-led refrain, the anticipation builds, and then we cliff dive into dark, digital beats and a belly-of-the-beast vocal effect that gets right down into the groove. Another piece of essential listening from this essential new artist. -HT