Maja Lena, AKA Marianne Parrish (formerly of Low Chimes), unveiled her debut solo album Pluto with single ‘No More Flowers‘ back in June. A song which explored “the way in which friendships can change or end,” as we described, “and acknowledges that sometimes it is better to walk away rather than try to resuscitate something outside of your control.” Ahead of the album’s release this December on Chiverin, Maja Lena is back with brand new track, ‘Through the Wall’. A song more uncertain than its predecessor, caught between conflicting states and haunted by an ever-present self-doubt. “Lyrically, there are themes of feeling torn between two worlds,” Parrish describes. “Themes of feeling not good enough, and themes of feeling lost.”
But there’s a playfulness too, a warm lilt which lingers long after its close and becomes the lasting impression. It has something to do with Alex Heane’s bass, the gentle clarinet flourishes of Emma Gatrill, the subtle, patient percussion of Rob Pemberton and above all Parrish’s vocals, which seem to emanate from a bygone era with their timeless pastoral folk spirit.
Pluto will be released on 2nd December via Chiverin and you can pre-order a copy now from the Maja Lena Bandcamp page. Maja Lena also has a run of UK live dates in early 2023. Check them out below:
26 Jan – The Cornish Bank, Falmouth
27 Jan – Louisiana, Bristol
28 Jan – Heartbreakers, Southampton
30 Jan – The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
31 Jan – Ramsgate Music Hall, Ramsgate
1 Feb – The Slaughtered Lamb, London
3 Feb – Headrow House, Leeds
4 Feb – Surf Cafe, Newcastle
5 Feb – The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
6 Feb – The Hug & Pint, Glasgow
8 Feb – Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield
9 Feb – Bodega, Nottingham
Photo by Martha Webb