Single Review: Sweet Goodbyes

Marianne Leigh may only be 18 years of age, but she has already won Smokefree Rockquest, has been on TV and Radio NZ, is a three-time finalist of the Play It Strange songwriting competitions as well as being mentored by Bic Runga, so perhaps it should be no surprise that her new single Sweet Goodbyes is like a breath of fresh air in a market that often over-produces young singers. This is indie-pop, and is annoyingly catchy and infectious, so much so that I have been finding myself walking along absentmindedly humming the tune. Her vocals are clean and clear, and the strong arrangements have been set to always keep them front and centre. The drums are punchy, the guitars are jangly while the bass is solid, and her vocals have a youthful freshness yet also display the experience of someone who has been performing onstage since she was just 12 years old. Mind you, reading an interview when she says that when she is not doing homework, she prioritises her music makes me realise just how young she really is. There is lots of space in the arrangements, and this song always makes me feel the Summer, with bright sunshine and a beach.

At times she hits notes strongly, at others she slides in and out, and often uses a catch in her voice to great effect. She is vocally doing quite a lot in the 2:30 seconds of the song, and that length is the only thing I would have liked changed, as it should be longer! The music and vocals are sweet, but then listen to the lyrics and one realises that she is talking about being used in a relationship, and this contrast really does hit home. I am off to her release show this Friday, and I for one am certainly intrigued to hear more from Marianne, but until we get an album, I feel this is something I will keep playing.