The Swedish dream-pop duo Marble Raft, known for their lush harmonies and cinematic instrumentation, continue their spellbinding journey with ‘Here in Your Backyard’, the latest single from their widely praised album ‘Dear Infrastructure’. Released alongside a visually captivating music video by Jonna Laurin, this shimmering, magically weightless track offers yet another immersive chapter in the band’s ever-growing universe.
From the first glimmer of 12-string guitars and analogue string synths, ‘Here in Your Backyard’ radiates warmth and wonder, capturing the essence of an impromptu gathering in an enigmatic cityscape. There’s an almost storybook quality to the track, an invitation to step into a world where strangers find solace in shared moments, and melodies become a form of unspoken connection. Built on layers of ethereal instrumentation and anchored by Gabrielle Werme Baker and Olle Söderström’s signature duets, the single effortlessly bridges the introspective and the exuberant, offering a moment of escape wrapped in rich, textured production.
The music video artfully blends nostalgic visuals to evoke a joyful reminiscence in the viewer. It opens with sepia-toned, vintage-style footage depicting children engaging in playful, rough-and-tumble games with an adult, capturing the innocence and simplicity of bygone days. This is interspersed with more contemporary imagery infused with 80s/90s retro aesthetics, effectively blurring temporal boundaries and creating a timeless quality. As the video progresses, it transitions into psychedelic-coloured scenes featuring talking-head shots of joyful children, adding a surreal and dreamlike layer to the narrative. This combination of visual elements culminates in an overall feeling of warmth and nostalgia, inviting us to reflect on the carefree moments of our own past.
As with their previous releases, Marble Raft excel at blurring the lines between retrospective and forward-thinking dream-pop, drawing inspiration from the likes of Wild Nothing, Cocteau Twins, and M83, while carving out a space uniquely their own. ‘Here in Your Backyard’ is a glowing testament to their ability to craft sonic daydreams, cementing their place as one of the most intriguing names in indie pop today. With their album ‘Dear Infrastructure’ continuing to garner acclaim, this latest offering proves that Marble Raft’s world is one well worth getting lost in.
