Any band who gains a reputation for their live show may have fans asking the question: “Can they replicate the live experience on their first album?”. Having seen the impact of Manchester’s Maruja on audiences in their hometown as well as further afield, they hold a spell over the crowd, many of whom state they HAVE to attend the gig. The quartet opens their debut album Pain To Power, out 12 September via Music for Nations, with ‘Bloodsport’, which immediately answers the question. Fury and rage is unleashed, wild and frenetic. The pace is relentless at the outset with vocalist Harry Wilkinson spitting out the lyrics full of frustration. Thematically the song fumes at the impact of contemporary society and world events on an individual’s mental health. The lyrics hit hard:
“Honestly the honesty’s the only thing to say
Profit from our illness human resources will pay
Find another way cos the pressure’s got us choking
Swallowing our fears til our kids are overdosing.”
‘Look Down On Us’ follows, cinematic in scale. Can music be widescreen? How is it possible to achieve such majesty with art? At just shy of 10 minutes Maruja do not hold back in giving this track all the space it needs. Epic is perhaps an overused word but entirely appropriate for ‘Look Down On Us’. It ebbs and flows through its passages, the listener cannot turn away, they are completely locked in. The initial feral energy exuding disdain for those who abuse their power gives way to a goosebump-inducing calm, the saxophone of Joe Carroll dancing hither and thither. Empowerment through music is embodied here. We are in this together, the notion of pain to power stated in this track.
‘Saoirse’ means “Freedom” in Irish and the track looks at the ties between Ireland and Palestine, epitomised in the Irish protest slogan “Saoirse don Phalaistin”. Among his grandfather’s possessions in Sligo, Joe found a decades-old comic strip depicting a “Black and Tan” Irish soldier boarding a boat to Palestine. To move from the exhilaration of the opening two tracks to this beautiful song shows the depth of this band. There is a place for the calm and considered along with the frenetic and frustrated. Lyrically the song speaks to the power of unity to combat division reinforced by the mantra: “It’s our differences that make us beautiful”.
Pain to Power continues this quieter section with the thoughtful ‘Born To Die’. Beginning with an echoey spoken word: “isn’t it terribly ironic how we’re all just born to die”, this is a band who have no fear in presenting their true selves. Maruja bare their souls and want to take us along with them. ‘Born to Die’ grows in such emotive power as it progresses, the saxophone taking over the vocal as it journeys, soaring accompanied by the drums of Jacob Hayes. The lyrics stay with the listener long after the song has finished: “generational growth is a thing we must command.”
Improvisation is integral to Maruja’s creative process and the thunderous instrumental interlude was probably borne out of such a session. It is utterly beguiling, tight and heavy with the bass of Matt Buonaccorsi creating a breathtaking wall of sound. Pounding drums and screeching guitars suggest letting go. Towards the end the track’s spirit is allowed to fly as it slowly makes its way to the outro, finally releasing the listener from its spell. It’s the perfect precursor to the stomping ‘Break the Tension’ which is brutal in every way. Savage in its exasperation, the rap lyrics are loaded with meaning:
“Can’t break the tension brittle like bone
Stress like me a burden your family beholds
Eyes to your phone and scornful in person
Feeding to feelings are always misleading.”
‘Trenches’ shifts focus again with its oppressive atmosphere, full of tension with a clarity in the vocals which is delivered with such passion. The stream of conscience unifies us with: “I’ll see you in the trenches” – emphasising community, we’re all in this together. The bloodcurdling vocal cuts to the very bone, until a swift calm descends, a hint of sadness perhaps that life is such a battle, and it doesn’t have to be.
‘Zaytoun’ is a delicate track which again evidences the extremes of Maruja’s music. It is a fully-improvised free-jazz piece, named after the Arabic word for olive tree: a symbol of peace and resilience with connection to the land that is deeply rooted in Palestinian culture. “That’s what our jams are,” says Joe. “Coming together to release this energy. We can’t do it by ourselves, so it symbolizes our unity.” As with ‘Resisting Resistance’ from the second EP Connla’s Well, ‘Zaytoun’ has a hypnotic grace which captures the soul.
Pain to Power finishes with ‘Reconcile’. Just stop and listen. This is the epitome of four musicians in tune with each other. Jazz punks has oft been used to describe Maruja and the hint of that can be heard here, especially in the saxophone. However rest assured, this is completely accessible music. The mantra “Have no fear” is repeated over and over, followed by “Pray for love,” a fitting end to this album.
“Let the music take control” say Maruja on ‘Reconcile’. It’s impossible not too after listening to Pain To Power. To learn it was put together in just two months at the beginning of 2025 is remarkable, but is testament to the connectivity of these four musicians. Live these tracks will be extraordinary, and there is plenty of opportunity to see Maruja live as the album tour begins with instores this week, followed by an extensive US, UK, Ireland and EU tour. To repeat, the thrill of this band is the extremes. From moshpits one minute and silence the next, they are in command with their music, unifying the crowd.
The final word to Joe: “Embracing love is the overall message.”
For more information Maruja, including full tour details, please check their website, facebook and instagram.
