(January 31, 2025) The ten-member Melbourne-based band Mondo Freaks are dropping some much-needed funk in the music world. They made a splash back in 2016 on the Plastic World Volume 1 compilation with their very first single, “Love Rain Down,” a futuristic synth-R&B fusion update of Yarbrough & Peoples/René & Angela mid-‘80’s funk ripe with vocoder fun. After touring gigs as the backing band for boogie king Leroy Burgess and disco star Evelyn “Champagne” King, the group strengthened their core, returned to the studio and are adding more stock to their musical catalog with their latest single, “Bells Are Ringing.”
Anchored by spacey synths and soulful Luther Vandross-esque struts (think Bad Boy/Havin’ a Party”), the groovy track bobs and waves through seductive verses (thanks to Susie Goble’s co-lead vocals), big instrumental segments and repetitive trances from the unison-heavy chorus. Of all the highlights, the powerful rhythmic solo break powered by drummer Graeme Pogson exploding through the speakers stands tall. It’s almost reminiscent of the percussive work heard on Change’s “Searching.”
Focus a little more intently on its saucy delivery and you could even make a connection to Ashford & Simpson’s galactic disco of “Nobody Knows.”
Mixed by renowned multiple Grammy-winning producer Michael Brauer (Coldplay, Rolling Stones, John Mayer), “Bells Are Ringing,” even with its holiday-sounding title, is sure to grab the attention of funk and R&B purists. Hopefully a full-length album of more of this funky stuff is on the horizon.
Check out the First Listen of “Bells Are Ringing” and let us know what you think.
By J Matthew Cobb