– THE QUIET RIOT –

Portuguese songstress MARO links up with Colombian guitarist Ariza on this, the second single to be released since her scintillating 2018 album It’s OK.

That album has been, without doubt, one of my favourites ever since I lucked across it and Why shows progression from that record’s sound without ever abandoning what made MARO a modern scholar on the subject of heartbreak.

As a track, it’s more complex than her previous work; more cinematic (helped by the strings), more dynamic (that’ll be the drums), and even closer to Imogen Heap than she was previously (the increased focus on electronic instrumentation). Because of the above, it does feel ever so slightly less intimate than before but no less forlorn.

And, look, if one wanted to be petty about it, one could ask what reason MARO has to still be so glum, given that she’s signed to Quincey Jones’ label, currently to be found touring with the modern genius that is Jacob Collier (click the video in the link to see her in action) and working with just about every exciting young talent in jazz right now (I would especially guide you in the direction of her collaboration with Noé Zagroun here).

But that would, indeed, be petty. Let us, instead, simply focus on the magnificence and beautiful melancholy of MARO until she realises just how bloody talented she is and starts doing covers of Walking on Sunshine, eh?

Why is out now through Ariza Music and Secca Records.

MORE FROM THIS WEEK’S MIX

AFRICA EXPRESS: MORALS
SHARDS: UNREST
DEF SOUND: HIDE N SEEK
BLUE LAB BEATS: STAND UP

P.S. You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the 45 RPM Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

– SV –