JAMES MARRIOTT - ARE WE THERE YET?
James Marriott, the sensational English singer, has taken the music industry by storm with his mesmerizing vocals and undeniable charisma. Marriott discovered his passion for music at a young age and honed his talent through years of dedication and hard work. With his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, he has captivated audiences worldwide. From his debut single to his undeniably wonderful albums, Marriott's music resonates deeply, enchanting listeners with its raw emotion and captivating melodies. With release after release, it’s certain, Marriott is a clear passion for what he loves, and his latest release Are We There Yet? is a strong indication of that.
The album opens with ‘You Are Here’, A soothing track that tells of the dangers of looking at the past as a way to live your future. The freeing feeling of breaking from a cycle of what once was and growing into something new and exciting seems to be a recurring theme within the album. “I’ve made amends with the old me / slit his throat with the receipts” and “You are here / and so am I” are telling lines within the first track as the song starts to pick up pace in the end to deliver a strong feeling of rebirth.
‘So Long’ shares a more rock-centered feel to the album. Strong drums and more electric guitars help to feed into the thought of being stuck in a loop. The feeling of not being sure how to get out, but being desperate to is shown through the faster tempo with the end of the chorus being softer as the song title is sung.
‘Going Postal at The Party’ is more of a pop-like venture. Beginning with soft piano sounds, the tempo soon speeds up and we are met with a tune that would be hard not to dance to. The bassline and drums help to accentuate the melody. The lyrics, however, are anything but the happy tune the instrumentals make them out to be. The feeling of finding someone to be toxic and finding that life would be better if they were cut out. Knowing they would likely do the same with other people, and realizing it’s better if they go seems to be a strong theme within this track.
The album as a whole showcases the insane amount of progress Marriott has made in his years as a musician, having released his first project, ‘Slow Down’, on YouTube just three years ago. With a mix of happy and melancholy tunes, this album leaves listeners feeling refreshed, and somewhat nostalgic. With just the right amount of slow, calming songs and songs that just make listeners want to dance, this album surely has something for listeners of all walks of life. Through losing people to finding oneself and growing into a better person, this album accurately helps to show the struggles of coming out and living the best life possible.
Niki Davidson
★★★★☆