YANN Says “Be My Man” — A Queer Pop Plea Built for the Dancefloor
I do love it when an artist gives me just enough of a story to leave me wanting considerably more. Brazilian-Moroccan pop artist YANN has rather cleverly got me exactly where he wants me with his latest release, “Be My Man”.
Following a two-year period spent working on new music, YANN returned in July with “Shoot Bang Kill”, his first English-language track of his career. It was quite the re-introduction. Dark, electronic and gloriously hooky. The song wrapped itself around the messy business of falling for somebody when perhaps every sensible bone in your body is telling you that you probably shouldn’t.
I was intrigued then. I’m considerably more intrigued now.
Because YANN has followed up with “Be My Man”, and suddenly the pieces of a much bigger story are beginning to fall into place.
There is something particularly refreshing about the directness of this song. Queer listeners have become experts at translation over the years, quietly switching pronouns in their heads and making pop songs fit their own stories. YANN doesn’t ask us to do that here. “Be My Man” is exactly what it says on the tin. A man pleading with another man to stay, to choose him, and to be his.
And goodness, does he make that plea sound good.
Over a beautifully beguiling electronic backdrop that feels destined for a late-night dancefloor, YANN paints a remarkably detailed picture of wanting somebody who isn’t quite giving the relationship everything you’ve given it. “Forget about the times that we were through,” Brazilian-Moroccan singer YANN says, occasionally slipping between English and Portuguese, while watching the man he wants look at somebody else “the way I look at you.”
But here’s where things get really interesting.
YANN explains: “‘Be My Man” is actually where it starts. This is me before “Shoot Bang Kill,” praying to someone who was already looking past me, calling it love, calling it religion. That wanting is what led to the fall.”
Oh. So “Shoot Bang Kill” wasn’t the beginning after all.
We’ve effectively been handed two pieces of the same emotional puzzle. One beginning and one ending. And now I’m left wondering what deliciously messy business happened between them.
That’s precisely why YANN has my attention. He’s not simply making electronic pop that sounds fabulous with the volume turned up; he’s creating a story around it.
Consider me seated, emotionally invested and already waiting for the plot twist…
Connect with YANN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yannhatchuel
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