London-based alternative pop singer songwriter Mari Dangerfield first featured on this blog at the end of 2021 thanks to her album Love And Other Machines. More recently, I shared the video for her track Ruins. It’s a song that features on her new record Eco-Fever, a concept EP that explores the highs and lows of the climate crisis.
By Graeme Smith
The EP opens with Eco-Anxiety. It was the first track that Mari penned for the collection and very much its anthem. Musically it draws inspiration from the disco sound led by the Bee-Gees and lyrically it taps into the fear we all feel about the direction in which the environment is going, and how the world may soon be unliveable, not just for us but the plants and animals that share our home. Mari’s vocals are powerfully compelling, as are her words. It’s a strong start.
Ruins renders images of melting icecaps and collapsing buildings with descriptive lyrics and bright emotional pop sensibilities. Fashion Haul sets its cross-hairs on the waste in the fashion industry through quick-fire, attitude-rich vocals and a sense of drama in its instrumentals. Title track Eco-Fever is a bright contrast, celebrating the earth through joyous pop.
The EP is then rounded off with two alternative versions. First the maximalist Rory Childs remix of Eco-Anxiety and then an intimate acoustic version of Ruins which sees Mari joined by Rachel Still.
This EP impresses for two reasons. First, the importance of Mari’s lyrics, which focus on an important issue of our time and delivers its case in a way that’s irrefutable. Second, Mari’s beautifully unique approach to song writing. Her vocals are unconventional and utterly compelling. I marked her out as a one to watch through Love And Other Machines, and this EP cements it.
Eco-Fever was written, recorded, arranged and produced by Mari. Eco-Anxiety was mixed and mastered by Diogo Almeida. Ruins was mixed by Liam Narrie. Fashion Haul was mixed by Paul Tipler. Eco-Fever was mixed and mastered by Joseph Copplestone. You can give the EP a listen below.
