Auckland indie pop-rock duo Marmalade have finally capped their first jar with their debut EP Sober — all about the “turbulent growing-up experiences of your 20s.”
Having toured extensively in their career already with the likes of Beach Bunny (US) and Hot Potato Band (AU), Koen Aldershof and Jemilah Ross-Hayes have finished penning an encapsulation of their “whirlwind” of a first chapter.
Known for their high-energy positivity when performing, Marmalade aren’t spreading themselves thin anytime soon.
The EP’s final track, “Cigarette Habit”, imagines two friends soaked in the struggles of addiction, unable to ascend to the relief of the surface to support each other.
“It conveys a sense of sorrow and a cry for help, while the chorus captures the feeling of disorientation and confusion that often accompanies addiction,” the duo says of their waiata.
“Cigarette Habit” opens with what sounds like birdsong — very recognisable sounds that Kiwis awaken to each morning. Vocally, it’s the most gentle track on the EP — unexpected for a song about the seriousness of substance abuse. Aldershof says, “This is actually me whistling in our home studio through some ambient reverb.”
Despite its difficult subject matter, the closer feels hopeful with its relieving harmonies that will leave you feeling more soothed.
Sober showcases Marmalade’s consistent ability to create interesting characters while shaping relatable narratives.
There’s the confessional and cheeky “Awkward”, as the friends self-consciously realise that the “things I felt were just my extroverted self” after a very average one-night stand. The opening track, “Bright”, was a local hit, charting at #2 on the NZ Singles Charts.
The twangy chords of “Caffeine High” help colour the experience of working as a barista, while they offer screaming release on in “Houston”, which is sure to be a bonding moment with live crowds.
This weekend, Marmalade are performing at The Tuning Fork for the mini-festival The Picnic — an event they’ve organised to “support and celebrate young, emerging artists by offering mentorship from experienced creatives and opportunities to showcase their talents.”
Marmalade’s Sober EP is out now.
