Review: Only Fire Reimagines the Automated Voice on Moana Lisa
THIS ISN’T THE SIRI YOU’RE USED TO — The automated voice is getting naughty and wild on Only Fire’s new EP, Moana Lisa. Fans of the Berlin-based DJ and producer have been patiently waiting — four years, to be exact. The five-track project is an electric collection that made up for that time.
Moana Lisa’s robotic voice keeps up with the hyper-like beats of each song. Through clever manipulation, Only Fire has made artificial speech the hottest collab.
Pulsating bass builds within the title track, as chantable lyrics of sensual depictions are front and center. Poking fun at the idea of the Mona Lisa having a little fun, the corresponding artwork shows Mona Lisa donning freshly plumped lips and silicone assets. It's clear she knows a thing or two about a good time.
Inspired by iconic producers such as SOPHIE, you hear those innovative layers that showcase a fascinating, cutting-edge movement of club music. “Piñata” jumps right in with a jolt of fast-paced loops. It's an Only Fire interpretation of a Latin-esque rhythm, as the artificial voice speaks Spanish and makes unshameful metaphors about beating the paper mache party game.
When “Up n Down” — an ultimate dance banger — makes an entrance on track four, it becomes evident this project is continuing to cement the Only Fire name within this genre. It is everything you want from a club tune: high-powered beats and eccentric construction to sexy idioms. Only Fire has a hold of this unique twist that is simultaneously keeping a finger on the pulse of club culture (let us not forget Olivia Cooke’s shoutout in 2023).
Moana Lisa is an intoxicating collection of exhilarating electronic innovations. Anthem numbers have you raising the volume, feeling those sultry chants in each dance move it entices.
Embarking on tour dates in Paris, Montreal, and Los Angeles this April, Only Fire is expanding the sound to more dance floors. Plus, with recent collaborations with Brooke Candy and remixes with COBRAH, it’s fair to say this will not be the last time Only Fire appears across your screen.
