Jessie Monk’s latest single “I Agree".

Jessie Monk’s latest single, “I Agree,” is a delightfully layered offering—equal parts philosophical musing, musical theatre, and jazz-folk jam session. It’s the newest taste of her upcoming album Mis O’ The Mountains, and it continues to prove that Monk is one of the rare songwriters who can approach depth with levity, and seriousness with a sense of play.
The song opens with a lyrical nod to Rainer Maria Rilke’s The Book of Hours—"Am I a falcon? A storm or a great song?"—an existential question wrapped in melody. But rather than dwell in existential gloom, Monk spins the inquiry into something light and expansive. Her delivery is cheeky and breezy, carried by a Bossa Nova groove that dances just enough to keep listeners on their toes. It’s a testament to Monk’s gift: to write about transformation, loss, and surrender without becoming heavy-handed or indulgent.

Musically, “I Agree” is a textural playground. The instrumentation is tight but full of surprises—violin lines from Fabiana Striffler that weave in and out with expressive flair; warm, grounded bass from Paul Santner; and the playful pulse of Max Andrzejewski’s drums. The harmonic shifts and rhythmic left-turns (particularly the off-kilter, train-like feel in the second verse) echo the song’s central theme: life’s rhythms are never quite predictable, but they are always purposeful.

A standout moment—and one that truly captures the whimsical spirit of the track—is the Irish whistle solo performed by Conor Conningham. Played on an unusually large whistle in B-flat (a jazz-friendly key), the solo adds both charm and weight to the bridge, like a moment of breath in an already soaring track. Backing vocals from Striffler, Santner, and Conningham give the song a communal, almost celebratory feel, rounded out by the audible joy of giggles and handclaps from the studio.

Recorded live at Butterama Studio, “I Agree” captures the synergy of a band genuinely enjoying each other’s presence—and that energy radiates through the speakers. It’s a celebration of surrender, of saying yes to the chaos, of embracing the cycle of death and rebirth with both reverence and a wink.

As a prelude to Mis O’ The Mountains—an album inspired by the Celtic myth of Mis, and its themes of grief, transformation, and healing—this single is the perfect overture. It reminds us that there is beauty in not knowing, joy in letting go, and power in simply agreeing.

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