The signs are similar, the advance laurels too. When bands such as Black Midi and Black Country, New Road with a jazzy speech postpunk and musical finesse caused hype, they were eagerly waiting for their first albums. Maruja, the quartet from Manchester, is now in turn and has to put up with comparisons. Several EPS, including a filigree improvisation exercise, countless YouTube recordings of your shows and absurd high expectations later, these eight brute songs finally rage the band to where it belongs: on the slip of everyone who still needs something for the annual top.
Recommendations of the editorial team
Saxophone salvents cut through guitar walls, basses and drums pound past Harry Wilkinson’s texts, in which he gives all those who are pushed to the edge and that only remains anger to express themselves. “Why so much division / has the joy leaf all our heads?” He sings in “look down on us”, an extremely contemporary piece about a split that makes sick.
He later finds out that differences can enrich us: “It’s our differences that make us beautiful.” You suggest more gentle tones here, but the factory setting of this plate provides explosion, pressure and vehemence. It may be that you shouldn’t always listen to the loudest out there. Maruja are the exception
This review first appeared in the MusikExpress 10/2025.