After weeks of teasing the track, playing it live and making numerous TikToks, James Marriott has finally released the first song of his new era, 'Burn Down The Disco'.
The track opens with harmonising vocals, disrupted by a drum beat before developing into a punchy groove. The chorus is loud and powerful, contrasting with the steady beat running throughout the rest of the record. It is impossible not to dance along to this track, with its indie pop vibes and rhythm.
The bridge allows the last chorus to hit for a final time in a powerful way, calming the energy right down before it lifts again. The harmonies at the beginning come full circle with the track ending, with high notes leading it out.
Overall, these elements combine to create a real highlight of Marriott's discography so far, bringing in the pop energy and loud instrumentals of his previous work.
As his performances this summer have shown, 'Burn Down The Disco' delivers an impressive live performance, and it is clear from listening to the recorded track that this is a song which demands to be played live.
The music video elevates the listening experience of the record, providing a strong storyline and cinematography. The video opens on Marriott entering a crowded club; he is visibly overwhelmed despite the joyful mood of everyone else there. Upon seeing his childhood bully, panic increases, and he rushes to leave.
This then transitions to a training montage getting prepared to fight the bully, which plays over the chorus. He re-enters the club, with his confidence having grown, as an alter ego, Teardrop, and combats the bully in a perfectly filmed dramatic fight scene, which ends with a disco ball coming crashing down on him. When he is in this scene, his outfit transitions from one that blends in to one that stands out, demonstrating how confident he now feels.
'Burn Down The Disco' marks an exciting point for James Marriott's career, taking the pop and indie inspirations from his previous records and elevating the result.
Maria Bensusan
Image: 'Burn Down The Disco' Official Single Cover