Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
UK band Marisa and the Moths release their second album and it is a cracker. A very deep and emotional release but the sheer talent shines through and no matter the lyrical content this made me very, very happy.
I have to put my hand up, I had avoided this band as every time I saw any mention of them I saw that one word that sends chills down my spine…Grunge. I hated that genre at the time it broke through and that emotion has never mellowed in me but how the hell is this band branded as Grunge? They are so far beyond that, so much better than that label and in What Doesn’t Kill me they have an incredible album and I have to say Marisa Rodriguez is my new found voice of 2024.
The album opens with a stunning track in “Cursed”. Think Evanescence with one of those haunting numbers like My Eternal. The piano is there, the outstanding vocals are there and the heart wrenching lyrics are there in spades. Marisa takes on songwriting duties and she is incredible on this song and throughout the album. This could very well be my song of 2024. This operatic and angelic number is just sublime.
Next track “Get it off my Chest” picks up the tempo and takes all the frustrations of the opening number and throws it into anger, aggression and some brutal instrumentation as well as some top notch screaming. As much as I mentioned Evanescence as the album wore on Maria Brink kept coming to mind more and more and Marisa definitely homed in on that woman’s aggression.
A little scrappy guitar opens “Borderline” and as Marissa comes into the equation you can really hear the tone in her voice and the range. This grows into a Pop/Punk number, more upbeat, more uplifting as some outstanding guitar work from Alessio D’Elia.
The Punk feel continues on “Wither Away” but 70s Punk with that scratchy, spit in your face edge. The guitars are on fire again. The songs follows on the bad relationship story and the breakdown vocals are very, very Maria Brink but why not…she is an angry woman.
We go full on Nu Metal with “Gaslight” and boy do I understand that title. This is a very powerful track and it really ramps up the energy and the metal sound. I loved this.
After a short interlude track we get “Who Are You Waiting For” and the opening is as close to Grunge as I could find on the album but it burts in with a ferocity and a kick as Marisa shouts to herself. Even through her own doubts and as low as she is she knows she is better that this, better than half of a disturbing and domineering relationship. The message? We are all better than that and do not just accept what you know for a simple life, pain is no simple thing!
“Pedestal” starts like one of Alice Cooper’s twisted numbers. An Evil funhouse feel to the guitars and Marisa the demented clown there to haunt your dreams for days. The song is a work of extremes like a fight inside your own thoughts.
“Straight Laced” opens like a 90s Punk number, one of the ones that starts slow and you get the up tempo happy mode but that part is missing. There is no happiness here. This is a simple number but when you have a voice like this you are there for the journey.
“Fake it Till you Make it” turns things around with the sound. The chaotic nature is still there but you can feel a change, a battle half won. This is a quirky but beautiful work of art and the guitar work is stunning again.
We get some sloppy, loose fretwork to portray the feelings on “Sad”. Marissa conveys her emotions so well through her singing here. You really do feel exhausted as the song takes us on its journey.
“Serotonin” is just perfection. That guitar, the desperate vocals and the emotions get you angry and when it kicks in the anger is written all over the track. An outstanding musical tapestry.
There is an indie feel on “Just Like Me”, an almost 80s vibe. It is simple, haunting and as catchy as hell. We get another interlude before we get into “Devil You Know”. This felt like a Norse chant before breaking into that Evanesce feel again. This song soars and screams for your attention.
“Lungs” closes the album and the song really has a feel of struggling to breath as it opens. You feel the struggle. The relationship between pain and sanctity. The crawling through a desert of feelings and emotions to get to the sanctuary that only water can quench. The water here is breaking out and standing undefeated on the other side.
What Doesn’t Kill You is not only a brilliant piece of musical work but it is a soul laid bare. It is passing on lessons that cut deep in order to self heal and to hopefully help others recognise their own worth.
This band and this album could very well be my find of the year and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this talented four piece.
Pre-order What Doesn’t Kill You here: https://marisaandthemoths.com/pre-order
Marisa And The Moths will be touring the album at a series of headline dates, as follows:
May 02: Reading Sub 89
May 03: Cardiff The Globe
May 04: Southampton The Loft
May 10: Manchester Star and Garter
May 11: Nottingham Rock City Beta
May 12: London Underworld
Jun 07: Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Jun 08: Newcastle Grove
Tickets from: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/marisa-and-the-moths
