A Soul In Motion: Menke’s “Only When In Motion” Is Breathtaking

Swedish artist Menke makes a return to the English language with “Only When In Motion,” a sweeping, emotionally devastating piece that wraps the listener in a blanket of moody piano, strings, and synth pads from the very first note. The instrumentation is lush and deliberate, peaceful on the surface but carrying a darkness underneath, filling the low and mid range with a weight that feels almost physical. Co-written with British songwriter Nick Hahn, known for his work with IVE and Dagny, the song is a masterclass in restraint and release. But it is Menke’s voice that stops everything. She moves through her full range with breathtaking ease, reaching soaring highs and descending into the deep warmth of her lower register, and at every point she is utterly convincing, moving the listener not through force but through pure feeling. Fans of Lana Del Rey will find themselves immediately at home here. “Only When In Motion” is the kind of song that finds you exactly where you are and makes you feel less alone in it.