Every now and then you come across an artist that warrants attention. Whether that’s their look, sound, or name – something about them commands full focus and concentration. Maruja is one of those acts. Being described as ‘psychedelic jazz-punks’ alone is enough to pique curiosity. On their debut EP Knocknarea, the Manchester act take us deep into their world and introduce us to something we’re sure won’t be replicated this year.
Much like its dystopian-esque artwork, Knocknarea transports us into a world filled with desolate landscapes, giving a vast canvas for Maruja to deliver their sound. ‘Thunder’ opens proceedings with a flurry of drums, guitars and vocals that tear through the atmosphere in an unreal pace. It feels like the world is ending abruptly, and while there’s nothing we can do about that, the quality of the songwriting is enough to make us stop and accept what’s to come. The frequent collisions of noise sound guttural and raw, while the soft warning of horns sound foreboding and yet comforting. It is an interesting, twisted, thrilling listen and only the beginning.
‘Blind Spot’ follows the chaos with a final flurry of noise before silence takes over. Vocals and melodies are heard clearly amongst the destruction left by ‘Thunder’. Despite the noticeable drop in volume, the tension remains the same. The horns lead the way against a steadily unravelling set of drums that soon snap into focus again. Helping launch the song into a glorious crash of sound that sees all of these instruments collide once more.
‘The Tinker’ is arguably the most accessible song on the EP. With its pulsating bassline locked into its free-flowing percussive partner, it harnesses elements of EDM together to create a sound that constantly shakes and yells throughout. It feels so easy to fall into its world.
Things come to an end on ‘Kakistocracy’ – a near seven-minute behemoth that brings a finality to the EP. Its sparse but powerful drumming creates a super strong intro, and the rest of the song basically increases the intensity until it implodes.
Knocknarea is a fantastic EP, and one that shows how diverse and composed Maruja are with their songwriting. Considering this is a debut piece, it highlights a strong knowledge of its primary genre, while also having the confidence to introduce parts of other genres into the mix too. The result is a kaleidoscopic sound that feels brand new every time, and one that can be enjoyed over and over again.
Featured Image by Cal Moores