Marshall Zuniga is a dark pop singer songwriter born in El Salvador and raised in Texas, USA. He’s just come to my attention through the release his new album, all about confronting one’s destructive side.

By Graeme Smith

Winning awards and putting El Salvador on the musical map, Marshall has already achieved a lot since setting out on his pop career, but I can’t help but feel that his new album might prove to be a landmark for him. Breaking Patterns consists of eleven finely-tuned tracks that take the listener through the full gamut of emotions.

It’s Marshall’s honesty and vulnerability that really strikes you about the collection, and his mea culpa about being drawn to things that destroy him feels relatable. These destructive things range from the typical, such as drink in the seething and distorted duet with Victoria Romero Drinking Up, to the more abstract, such as being too quick to fall in love in vibrant and racy album opener Just Met Ya… ily.

Breaking Patterns is also a story of a relationship and we navigate its highs and lows through stand out tracks such as the optimistic and sultry Like U Wanna, the gloomy and textured Fell From Heaven, the pleading and percussive Out Of My Mind, and the devastatingly acoustic One Last Dance.

Ultimately, it’s a redemptive tale, and ends brightly with a message of self-discovery and renewal. From the reflective Sober N Over to album closer and title track, the atmospheric and anthemic Breaking Patterns, the collection ends strong.

Few can bring emotion to their music like Marshall Zuniga. Breaking Patterns is a flawless collection of dark pop brought to life through clever production and Marshall’s expressive and heart-breaking vocals. If you’ve ever been through a destructive relationship, you’re going to get a lot out of this album.

Breaking Patterns is out now and you can check it out below.