Sweden’s Mariette charms on EP My Revolution

Mariette had us all under her spell at Melodifestivalen, but couldn’t quite work enough voodoo hexes to torpedo hurricane “Heroes” as it swept triumphantly to Vienna. 

Her song “Don’t Stop Believing” did, however, place third–and for a first effort that is nothing to be shy about. Loreen failed to even make the final in her first attempt y’all. Epic chimes, a dazzling light show and haunting vocals all came together to give us the darkest and most bewitching moment of Melodifestivalen 2015.

If that was all darkness, follow up “My Revolution” was a ray of light. Cheery and faintly bubbly beats chime for change through the dance number, with Mariette’s vocal dropping in and out of synth, with a rallying cry to acceptance and tolerance that perfectly fits Stockholm Pride.

The new tracks?

“If I Can Love You” is a moment of bizarre brilliance, uniting country, dubstep and Mariette’s ethereal sorceress vocal. The chorus is total earworm territory and Mariette laments the moment of realisation that she hasn’t been in love with her partner. The Nashville twangs and choir give this a real emotional punch and the starkness of the message is a sad theme that fits neatly alongside opening salvo “Don’t Stop Believing”.

In “Family Reunion” we find Mariette defiant embarking on a new relationship and abandoning an old one.  “I just want to spend the night with you, on the grass that’s greener on the other side, I don’t really care right now, I just wanna spend the night with you,” she flirts playfully, a new side to Mariette and one that’s fun. She’s unapologetic about not giving a sh*t about her crazy ex and just embracing the fun of a new relationship. “I know its aching to her bones that I’m with someone new, cause I am here with you,” Mariette sings, her musical two-fingers to the lover left behind.

The absolute standout from the EP is “Say Never”. Mariette, incase y’all hadn’t twigged, is an unapologetic bitch. “Breaking your heart wasn’t easy, but shit it was fun, seeing you cry because of me, it had to be done,” she says, shrugging off any emotional responsibility and moving on with her life. The power of the lyrics underscores how superficially fun they are and with cat-calling sirens, heavy synths and lashings of dance floor ready vocoder this really soars.

“Say Never, I see that you’re trying to resist me, I know its not easy, wish I could show you some mercy, but that’s just not me,” she apologises before, presumably, getting the girl of her dreams.

Tl;dr? Mariette is the coolest gal to stalk out of Melodifestivalen in a long time. Breezy, dark, rippling with intensity and commanding your attention, My Revolution shows she’s far more light than dark once you get to know her. Behind the raven feathers and hexes being hurled at you, Mariette’s EP twinkles with brilliant beats, catchy dance riffs and earworm choruses for days.

If I’m under a spell, let me slip deeper.

Score: 5/5