There’s A Lot More To Marmalade’s New Single ‘Caffeine High’ Than Just Coffee
Tamaki Makaurau-based crew Marmalade sets the wheels in motion for their impending debut EP ‘Sober’ by cueing in their third music release, ‘Caffeine High.’
Tamaki Makaurau-based crew Marmalade sets the wheels in motion for their impending debut EP ‘Sober’ by cueing in their third music release, ‘Caffeine High.’
Kiwi artist Marmalade, now operating as a duo with original members Jemilah Ross-Hayes and Koen Aldershof, introduces a dazzling funk-pop melody on their newest musical outing, penned through the lens of a barista. The song harkens back to Jemilah’s days working behind a coffee counter, examining and highlighting exchanges and dialogues with customers.
Although its blatant emphasis is on accepting beverage orders, readying coffee, and its service afterward, Marmalade has tidily pieced together observations and narratives captured during these interactions at a coffee house. Speaking about how the song came about, Jemilah shared, “I worked as a barista for five years and throughout that time, strangers have shared some pretty funny stories with me.”
The singer-songwriter added, “I reference in the lyrics that being a barista is light-heartedly like getting paid minimum wage to be a therapist, just in the way that you are often the person to sit, listen, and observe people’s lives judgment-free.”
With ‘Caffeine High,’ upbeat vocals are carried out by both artists over an indie-pop/funk bop, gradually leaning towards a more progressive/alternative rock melody. Seamed into the music are lyrical callbacks to conversations, a timely F-bomb, groovy bass plucks, rich drum action, and a creamy hard-rock guitar solo over an oscillating rhythm.
“This has to be one of our favorite tracks off the EP and we’re so excited to finally share it with the world,” expressed Koen, who further elaborated, “Other than the drums which were recorded at Broome Recordings, we’ve recorded everything else from home or from the Kenneth Myers Centre.”
‘Caffeine High’ also sees audio engineer Emily Wheatcroft-Snape sit on mixing duties, with KOG Studios’ veteran Chris Chetland mastering the track.
Marmalade are also coming off a hot streak of endeavors, including a successful headlining New Zealand tour, being listed as a support act for Aussies Hot Potato Band, 10:32 from the UK, and American indie rockers Beach Bunny in 2023.
Thus far in 2024, they have made appearances opening for Kiwis French For Rabbits and Ha The Unclear. Away from live performances and dipping into their music, previous releases ‘Bright’ and ‘Awkward’ have each amassed over 20K streams on Spotify, with ‘Bright’ peaking at number 2 on the Hot NZ Singles chart.
Find Marmalade on: Instagram | Spotify
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