Hailing from Dunedin in New Zealand, Marlin’s Dreaming formed in 2017 and soon released their debut record Lizard Tears, introducing a playful, sun-drenched blend of pop, surf rock and psychedelica. Led by Semisi Maiai (formerly of GROMz), the outfit honed their sound with the EP Talk On/Commic in 2018, introducing a darker, heavier edge without losing what made the debut so appealing. Both releases won praise and coverage across New Zealand and Australia, and marked Marlin’s Dreaming as once of the southern hemisphere’s most fun and versatile bands.
This month sees the release of Quotidian, a brand new Marlin’s Dreaming record that further develops their distinctive sound and pushes into overtly dream pop territory. Lead single ‘Outwards Crying’ is the perfect introduction, described by Brooklyn Vegan as “widescreen and hazy” with its epic soaring style, though other tracks occupy the languid meandering spirit of Lizard’s Tears. Rather than superficial reinvention between records, Marlin’s Dreaming are a band working on a considered evolution, ambitious and far-reaching yet never sacrificing their core spirit.
Today we’re delighted to share ‘Alike’, the latest single from the album. Opening with brashly angular guitar and settling into a tight rhythm, the track is both mischievous and ominous, a duality that forms a key component of the track. “I wanted to personify two different characters,” Maiai explains. “The bleating high pitched character, and the dark, arrogant character. Both characters are people in my life that… I guess piss me off enough that one day I decided to write about them; or should I say write for them.”
The result of contradiction, of competing forces. Brightness and darkness. Mischief and menace. The wound tension of the verses and the unraveling release of the chorus. A dichotomy that extends right through the themes and intentions of the track. “‘Alike’ is our most zestful single,” Maiai continues. “Very guitar and vocal driven. I guess sort of an optimistic, catchy song, but digging deeper, I find that what it’s actually about slightly disturbing.”
