After 423 days away from the spotlight, Irish alternative artist Monjola returns with a deeply personal new single titled Weight On Me, released on June 11. The track marks a new creative phase for the Dublin-raised artist, revealing a more vulnerable and emotionally open side of his songwriting.
Working with longtime collaborators Saint De Marcus and Dan Briskin, Monjola crafts a warm, reflective sound built on soulful melodies and subtle production. Weight On Me explores themes of self-worth, emotional pressure, overthinking, and resilience, turning a difficult personal period into honest musical storytelling.
“Everything in my head felt loud and unresolved when I wrote this song,” Monjola shares. “It came out almost like a diary entry or a voice note to someone I didn’t fully trust yet. It sits somewhere between a confession and an internal argument with myself.”
Unlike some of his earlier work, this release leans fully into honesty rather than energy or disguise. “Usually I hide behind melodies or energy, but this time I wanted to be completely honest,” he says. “Even though the lyrics come from a heavy place, the song still feels uplifting, like pushing through something instead of drowning in it.”
That contrast between heaviness and hope is also reflected in the production. Interestingly, the rhythm began with Monjola tapping out a beat on a table in the studio. The sound was recorded on a phone and later shaped by Dan Briskin in Ableton, becoming the emotional heartbeat of the track.
Born in Lagos and raised in Dublin, Monjola’s sound is shaped by a wide range of influences, from church music to indie rock, alternative soul, and hip-hop. Inspired by artists like Maroon 5, Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, John Mayer, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, and Benjamin Francis Leftwich, he has developed a style that feels both genre-fluid and deeply personal.
His earlier releases, including Smile and Where U At?, alongside collaborators MOIO and Aby Coulibaly, helped introduce him as one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging voices. His profile grew further in 2022 when he joined Kid Cudi on seven dates of the European tour, bringing his music to wider audiences.
Beyond music, Monjola is also a co-founder of Chamomile Club, a creative platform supporting collaboration and community within Ireland’s music scene. Through independent events, listening sessions, and partnerships with platforms like Boiler Room and COLORS, the collective continues to build space for emerging artists.
During the pandemic, he and his brother MOIO turned their living room into a recording space, a period that helped shape his creative identity and working style. That DIY spirit still runs through his music today.
With Weight On Me, Monjola delivers more than just a comeback single. It feels like a statement of growth, honesty, and emotional clarity. The track signals an artist stepping into a more self-aware chapter, turning personal weight into something thoughtful and uplifting.
As Ireland’s alternative scene continues to expand, Monjola stands out as one of its most compelling voices, and this return makes it clear the wait has been well worth it.
