Myylo, Skinny Boys | Track Review

Nashville-based, LGBTQ pop standout Myylo brilliantly addresses a gray area in pop music, male body positivity, on his surefire bop, “Skinny Boys.”

“My music is pretty preoccupied with boys and love.” That’s how Nashville-based, LGBTQ pop artist Myylo described his music when interviewed by The Musical Hype (July 2019). Sure, if you’ve been following this awesome musician who “sits at the nexus point of folk lyricism, pop production, and boyish relatability,” you’re well aware of just how terrific his songs about boys are.  Thankfully, as of August 14, 2019, Myylo drops another certified bop about boys, “Skinny Boys.” That said, he opts for a slightly different direction, addressing body image.

“‘Skinny Boys’ is a body positivity anthem made for the boys who don’t have and don’t need to have Thor’s abs, Bat Man’s pecs, or Aquaman’s shoulders to love themselves.”

Myylo pens ‘a body positivity anthem for boys everywhere.’ This is encouragement and empowerment for us boys lacking that perfect body.  So many times, we hear about body positivity from a feminine perspective, but with men it’s a gray area.  Throughout the verses, he sets up the feelings of inferiority that many men have regarding their bodies, but don’t readily admit.  He allows himself to be vulnerable, something that’s relatable to any man who experiences the same issues – he’s preaching to the choir essentially.  The chorus is the crowning achievement, where the urban-pop sound really pops, with a sick trap beat, hella catchy lyrics, and stellar stacked harmonies:

“Give it up for the skinny boys
Give it up for the chunky boys
‘Cause we’re gonna have so much fun
Not give a fuck about anyone…
Never let ‘em steal your joy, joy, joy.”

What Myylo is saying is so true – why should anybody “give a fuck about what anyone” thinks about their body? It’s easier said than done, but it’s something we shouldn’t let bring us down.  Providing some additional insight into this must-hear record, he asserts:

“I kept scrolling through these societally perfect boys in my Insta feed and feeling like shit about my body. Trust me, I’ve racked up hours at the gym and stuffed my stomach full of protein powder trying to bulk up to look like them. ‘Skinny Boys’ is me saying fuck it to that energy for myself and for anyone who needs the reminder to love their skinny, chunky/bulky, short, fit, not-fit, tall, curvy, whatever-the-f gorgeous body.”

Final Thoughts 

Myylo has done it again – dropped a surefire bop. At this point, he seems to be on autopilot.  What makes “Skinny Boys” stand out even more than some of his other bops (they’re all awesome) is the fact that it does address a gray area – male body positivity.  It is a relevant issue in the LGBTQ community, but it’s also a relative issue with men regardless how they identify sexually. “Skinny Boys” checks off all boxes, with strong vocals, strong production (the urban-pop backdrop is lit), and maybe most of all, superb, empowering songwriting.

Myylo • Skinny Boys [Single] • Release: 8.14.19

Photo Credit: Myylo