ALBUM REVIEW: “What Doesn’t Kill You” from Marisa and the Moths
Alt-rock rockers Marisa And The Moths are back – with their highly-anticipated second album, “What Doesn't Kill You” which is released this Friday 3rd May 2024. Their debut self-titled album was released in 2019 to critical acclaim from the likes of Kerrang!, Classic Rock and BBC Radio2. It hit #66 in the Official Downloads Chart.
Album #2 has been a complex journey for the band, as Marisa said; "Three years ago, as the world grappled with the onset of lockdown, I embarked on a deeply personal journey. It was the beginning of writing our second album, "What Doesn't Kill You," a project born out of the ashes of an abusive relationship that had finally come to an end.
This album became my autobiography, a cathartic release of the emotions and experiences I had endured. The songs on the album were meticulously arranged to reflect the non-linear process of grief, mirroring the ebb and flow of my mental health as I navigated the aftermath of abuse. It was a tumultuous path to healing, intertwined with my own emergence as a female rock artist.
In a world rife with sexism in the music industry and the objectification of women, I found myself grappling with toxic societal expectations and the pressure to measure up. At a time when I questioned my own worth and struggled to even like myself, I realised the profound importance of sharing my story.
I knew I had to write this album. It became my mission to give voice to the voiceless and be a beacon of support for those who have experienced similar hardships. I aimed to raise awareness about the critical issues plaguing our society, igniting conversations that desperately needed to be had.
The path to completing this album has been filled with challenges and has demanded everything from me—blood, sweat, tears, and then some. Despite facing countless setbacks, from the financial turmoil caused by the pandemic and Brexit to a near-death experience with COVID-19 that left me hospitalised and robbed of my voice for months, we persevered. We poured our hearts and souls into this labour of love, and the result is something we are immensely proud of.
We are humbled by the journey we have taken, and the resilience we have discovered within ourselves. This album is a testament to the strength we all possess in the face of adversity."
Marisa and the Moths have a lot to live up to, their debut album was sensational, and as many bands have found out, the second outing is often the hardest. Trying to live up to fans expectations, but trying to express themselves, and new ideas. It’s a tricky balance at the best of times !
Marisa and the Moths are Marisa Rodriguez (vocals, guitar & piano), Liam Barnes (bass & vocals), Alex Ribchester (drums) and Alessio D’Elia (guitar), and are very much built around the songwriting skills and incredible vocal talents of Marisa with exquisite tone and an ability to change effortlessly from tender and delicate to brutal, bruising angst.
The album kicks off with Cursed with a swirling operatic opening, just Marisa and piano, building with strings. There’s a quality to it that very much reminded me of All About Eve, with it’s haunting beauty.
Track 3, Borderline explodes in to a 2000’s nu-metal angst anthem with fuzzy guitar riffs abounding, before pulling it all right back for the mellow verse sections. The balance between the two is well worked, and a wonderful old school rock guitar solo ! Magical stuff…
As the album builds Wither Away starts with a punk strutting guitar part before exploding to another level altogether. Its as heavy as you like, with pounding guitar riffs with a grunge-like bite. It’s edgy and raw. Ont that will go down brilliantly live, full of attitude and power.
The heavy feel continues with Gaslight, with it’s Alter Bridge-like infectious riff line which drags you in kicking and screaming.
After the intensity, we have a well deserved interlude in the form of State of Mind, a short atmospheric segment, which has an otherworldly feel to it, and light, distant angelic singing, but I has a dark and disturbing edge to it as well, an almost whispered like spoken voice in the swirling sounds. Hypnotic and eerie.
The we’re into Who Are You Waiting For. As soon as the first lines were sung, I was right back in their debut album, where it would fit in perfectly, with some powerful breakdowns and intense drumming driving the track, it has a raw power and energy. One of my favourite tracks on the album.
The pace takes yet another sharp turn for Straight-Laced a delightfully refreshing acoustic moment of mellow tones that drifts over you delicately, with it’s beautiful vulnerability. Sad has us back to the alt-rock edginess, and the drums shine through with crystal clear clarity, central to the life of the track. Marisa’s vocals again demonstrate her exceptional skills, plunging the depths and reaching up to the highs with ease in equal measure.
Perhaps my favourite track on the album is Just Like Me with its swirling vocals. What shines through is the incredible production. Not just here but through the album. Despite the fuzzy or grungy guitar tones, everything is crisp and clear, every element identifiable and balanced to perfection. This one is pure power and emotion… Check out it’s official video below:
As we draw towards the end of the album, Sense of Self is another short respite from the energy and has a somewhat Evanescence grand operatic feel to it.
And now for something different, and very unexpected. Devil has that iconic power, but adds a heavy distorted (yet subtle/subdued) industrial feel to the guitars in the chorus sections, which gives a real dramatic feel to the track, and then the unexpected guttural screamed vocals from Marisa ! ! WOW ! More please…. Much more !
The final track Lungs is different again, with a croaky distorted effect added to the vocals almost giving a sense of a real struggle to breathe ? The bass adds a depth to the tone to underpin the vocals along with some strings. Slowing us down, and preparing us for the silence that will come with the end (unless you put it back on repeat like I did lol). As fitting, the track fades away with simple vocals from Marissa, leaving us with the sound of a stylus on the turning vinyl.
And that’s it….. “What Doesn’t Kill You” from Marisa and the Moths. Bearing in mind the literal blood, sweat and tears shed to create this album…. It’s an utter utter triumph. The vocals are exceptional throughout, showing a range of styles range and ability. Add to that great song writing, straight from the heart, top notch production and some great musicians, we have a contender for album of the year here….. and it’s going to be VERY hard to beat.
Hats off to you Marisa ! A richly deserved 10/10 !
