Marney – 'California'

“Where the hell have you been and thank God you’re here now.” – perhaps the most accurate way to describe first impressions after encountering dark pop newcomer Marney’s striking debut single ‘California’.

Setting the tone and keeping its intoxicating charm under lock and seal, a sermon opens and closes this exhilarating track, imploring: “learn to be patient and gentle.” Advice that holds true throughout all of ‘California’. Born out of Marney’s first trip to the City of Angels, it addresses the intimidating reality of setting out to live the American Dream. “I was reading books and watching films about Los Angeles and I had written down Barbara Kruger’s words, ‘Most American cities are about the consumption of culture, Los Angeles … is about the production of culture’,” Marney says about the inspiration behind the track. “I was conscious of how vulnerable I would be there and the idea of so many dreamers having been there before me, who I had never heard of…people who had chased the dream and ended up handing out flyers in a sandwich board, instead.” 

Sonically, ‘California’ feels like a prayer. Wrapped into haunting synths, Marney’s angelic vocals call out to dreamers and realists alike, summoning fallen heroes and unrelenting warriors with the aim of uniting them in a shared gospel: “You can try but you’ll never leave. The land of the free for someone like me. It’s all waiting for ya in California.”

With its magnetic appeal and impressive sonic landscape, ‘California’ is filled with promises of big things to come for Marney, including but not limited to an upcoming debut EP. Harnessing the power of a debut single that would effortlessly hold its own against pop giants like Dua Lipa or Anne-Marie, Marney is a strong contender for newcomer of the year!

Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven

---