Being Dysfunctional Is So Damn Fun

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The talented duo known as VanJess has been around for a minute. Slowly building up their fan base after their well-received EP Homegrown, the duo have demonstrated improvement in their songwriting and song structure. The standout track for me, however, is their KAYTRANADA collab “Dysfunctional” and them making being a mess fun.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhbwH_DJ8W8″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dysfunctional? Musically, it’s anything but. Lyrically? Well, that is a whole different matter. The song is rife with miscommunication between a woman who wants to be heard and a partner who comes and goes as they see fit. All signs point to removing herself from this puzzle. Calling out his behavior and venting her frustrations only cycles her back to the start. Her words acknowledge the mess they’re in, but the music hypnotizes us to dance her pain away. VanJess captured the feeling perfectly both in lyrics and tone.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As soon as the synths reach your eardrum, you’re hypnotized. It instantly engages you musically as each instrument seeks a body part to possess: drums controlling the head and torso as your feet are in sync with the bass. Simple, spacious, and loose. Providing free reign for both, the listener pulls off unscripted maneuvers. Snap out of it, though, and it’ll ensnare back into hypnosis quicker than Beast Boy.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]”You got me out here screaming waiting on you/But I know that you won’t hear me call”[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”26915″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Are we allowed to have this much fun? Once you start to question it, the synths reels you back onto the dance floor. Strip away the grooviness of the synths with a guitar and it’s the same fun environment. The multi-layered chorus midway through the song perfectly explores the openness of the music, but offers little closure to the problem at hand. It’s the same song and dance when dealing with a toxic situation, where you know you should leave but you’re afraid you’ll never replace the physical affection they offer. Why did they make being dysfunctional so damn fun?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://open.spotify.com/album/6D701PBk88ecP19udi4EJj?si=Qnmgr-LkQw6XYXtHQxS3Sg[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]