Swedish duo Marble Raft have appeared once before on this blog. In April 2022, they featured in Jane’s Nordic Artists round-up. I’ve not had a chance to share any of their music personally until now.

By Graeme Smith

Consisting of friends Olle Söderström and Gabrielle Baker, Marble Raft impressed Jane with their multi-instrumentalist approach to creating alt-pop soundscapes in their single Guiding Stars. Their new album, Dear Infrastructure, very much picks up where that track left off, building on the sound to create ethereal and melodic pop.

Dear Infrastructure is Marble Raft’s second album, following on from their 2021 release, Geography A. It’s a bold collection of ten tracks that tell the story of two fictional teenagers wandering through a metropolis while creating a dreamy atmosphere with plenty of relatable emotion. Soft, duetting vocals provide the beating heart of each composition, cutting through hazy electronic layers in the instrumental as beautifully typified by album opener, To Have and to Hold and to Break.

The track is one of three singles released from the album, joining the thoughtful and epic Rites of Passage and the rousing electronica of Marble Halls to provide some early highlights. The album’s second half is introduced in moody and textured style by Intersections, Alleys and Freeways. It tees up the blooming Floral Haze, the animated Concrete Cathedral, the tender Neon Signs of Life and album closing lullaby, Feral Haze, beautifully.

Marble Raft’s new album is a wonderous and poetic trip. It’s absolutely lush.

Dear Infrastructure is out now and you can give it a listen below.