Search The Line of Best Fit
Search The Line of Best Fit

Maribou State opt for refinement on Hallucinating Love

"Hallucinating Love"

Release date: 31 January 2025
8/10
Maribou State Hallucinating Love cover
29 January 2025, 15:00 Written by Sam Eeckhout
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Maribou State's latest offering, Hallucinating Love, feels less like a statement and more like an invitation – to pause, reflect, and let the music gently lead you.

With the return of Holly Walker, their longtime vocal collaborator, and a sound that echoes their hallmark strengths while showcasing a refined maturity, Hallucinating Love is a hypnotic journey that speaks to both the past and present of the duo's craft.

Opening with “Blackoak”, the album immediately plunges into quintessential Maribou State territory. The track is a lush tapestry of stripped-back guitar licks, straightforward synths, and harmonized melodies. It’s not trying to rush instant attention, but instead draws listeners in with its deliberate simplicity, reminding us of Maribou State’s patience and confidence.

“Bloom”, the album’s second track, exemplifies this polarization. It’s luscious and poignant, a tune that sticks in your head not for its complexity but for its singable, heartfelt core. Their production talents take its relatively barebones into something much more – a sound full and textured, it feels more like an embrace than a song. Later, the tandem follows the Moby-esque emotion and energy of “All I Need” with “Dance on the World”, an upbeat anthem marked by its shout-at-the-sky vocal hooks and driving rhythms. The transition feels seamless, taking the listener from introspection to movement, yet never losing the sense of cohesion that defines the album.

Moments of familiarity shine through, as “Dance on the World” echoes the infectious energy of “Turnmills” from 2018’s Kingdoms in Colour – a reminder of the duo's ability to craft uplifting anthems. These callbacks build on the strengths that first elevated their craft with Portraits in 2015. And while this album doesn’t necessarily break new ground, it achieves something else important – a confident settling into their identity as artists. Maribou State no longer feels the need to force moments of grandeur. Instead, they allow tracks like “Peace Talk” to evolve organically, starting with strings that subtly command attention and ending in an unexpected, cathartic guitar jam that feels as surprising as it is satisfying.

After the emotional crescendo of “Peace Talk”, “Passing Clouds” offers a much-needed exhale. Aptly titled, the track conjures an image of lying on your back, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky. It’s a moment of serenity that captures the album’s hypnotic, almost meditative essence. These softer interludes, punctuated by production flourishes and understated melodies, give the album its heart – making it a perfect soundtrack for reflection.

As Hallucinating Love reaches its conclusion, “Rolling Stone” provides a fitting resting place. Wandering yet purposeful, the track’s momentum feels effortless, carrying listeners to a natural, conclusive space. It doesn’t demand attention but instead invites you to let go, to surrender to its ebb and flow.

This is an album designed for laying back and closing your eyes. Its beauty lies not in dramatic peaks or bold departures but in its mosaic-like composition – a tapestry where every piece fits perfectly into a cohesive vision. While it may not unleash what feels like Maribou State’s ultimate potential, it edges closer to it. There’s a maturity here, a sense of comfort in their artistry, that suggests the band is finally settling into the fullness of their sound.

In the end, this album isn’t about reinvention; it’s about refinement. It’s a celebration of what Maribou State does best: creating music that feels timeless and deeply personal. And while we might continue to wait for the moment when they push their boundaries and fully realize their potential, this journey toward that horizon is just as compelling. For now, it’s enough to let the music wash over you, a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and simply be.

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