Ears Wide Open: Mk.gee

Kevin Bronson on December 9th, 2019

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Michael Gordon is a 23-year-old who came west from his native New Jersey three years ago to pursue a degree in music and works under the name Mk.gee. The title of his debut EP — a concept piece that was kind of a “day in the life of Los Angeles” — answers your first question about Mk.gee: “Pronounced McGee.”

In late 2018, Mk.Gee followed up with his second EP, “Fool,” getting some juice when Frank Ocean played the track “You” on his radio show. Then, last week, it was announced that Mk.gee has signed to IAMSOUND Records (Banks, Lord Huron, IO Echo) as part of the label’s new partnership with Interscope.

Mk.gee’s DIY style of synth-pop fits right into the large body of young artists who are crafting the “soft rock ’70s” of this era — wheezy, wobbly analog synths, underpinned by fractured hip-hop beats and gently sighing vocal melodies. In the case of Mk.Gree’s new single “Untitled,” he’s taking a well-aimed swipe at those who put a lot of stock in astrology.

“The song is just about the fascination of ‘the right time’ or the ‘wrong time’ in relationships,” Mk.gee says. “People put a lot of weight on timing and horoscopes, it’s great to hear the reason why something did or didn’t work out. We love the certainty. Not that I believe or don’t believe in star signs, I just think it’s awfully funny, you know. To have a 3rd party website tell you that you can or can’t be with someone.”

||| Stream: “Untitled”