Indie music

Marmalade’s future is looking Bright

Indie Rock

Reviewing Marmalade’s debut single is a strange thing. They came out on top in the Kick Unsigned competition and have toured with almost every international act that came to New Zealand in 2023 (including 10:32, Beach Bunny & Hot Potato Band). It’s easy to forget they don’t have music out there yet. 

“Bright” is the first sampler of a debut body of work that is in the making. It opens lush and optimistic with gorgeous licks from guitarist Liam Nuttall and huge sound drums from Dean Rodrigues over the solid foundation of bass from Chelsea Naepi. Singer Jemilah guides us through the concerns and musings of an up and coming musician dreaming for success. The lyrics are down to earth and help put you in the shoes of a band that is nervously excited for imminent success.

The production on this track is slick. Within seconds you know you’re listening to something above the general noise of a K-Road youth band. Something only the beautiful marriage of Koen Aldershof, Scott Seabright, Chris Chetland and Tom Broome can achieve.

With several tours under their belt and visibility Aotearoa wide, Marmalade are looking to be propelled into a year of success already. Their future is looking bright. 

I Don’t Wanna Be In Love – Mikaela Cougar

INDIE, Indie Rock

Following the release of her singles “See Straight” and “Lucky Star, Mikaela Cougar is back with another banger. “I Don’t Wanna Be In Love” channels nostalgic 90s girl band vibes combined with that laid back bucket hat aesthetic we know and love.

In this track Mikaela reflects on passing pages of life as she walks into a new chapter. She found the track “basically wrote itself… like a stream of consciousness.” The artist’s choice of conversational lyrics brings an element of “realness” to the song; like we’re sharing a beer as she externalises her thoughts. The hook line “I don’t wanna be in love because it’s way too hard” is charmingly matter of fact. There’s no need to dress the sentiment up in poetry and metaphors; it stands on its own with intrigue and vulnerability.

I loved the pauses in the first chorus, as Mikaela chose to match the rhythms of the instrument with her rambling lyrics. Moments of silence can be what makes a song, and she utilised these to their full potential. The psychedelic breakdown and Gwen Stefani vocals in the bridge lifted the song to that “effortlessly cool” sound that Mikaela is famous for.

The blending of bitter lyrics with an optimistic soundscape in the chorus were effective in capturing the hindsight that comes with stepping out of a situation. Mikaela has moved on; the negativity of this failed relationship can’t touch her now. Overall, “I Don’t Wanna Be In Love” is another killer track from what is quickly becoming one of my favourite emerging artists. I can’t wait for the 2021 release of the full EP.