The Mary Onettes’ critically acclaimed debut was described as the perfect mix between A-ha and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Now they are back with a grandiose new album. Imagine a Swedish equivalent of The National on a diet of speed, Planet Earth DVDs, and 80′s guitar pop singles and you’ll have a vague idea of how amazing this is.
The year 2008 was characterized by the deaths of close relatives and friends of Philip Ekstrom (singer and songwriter of the band) and on Islands he’s put more focus on the lyrics. ‘The Disappearance of My Youth’ and ‘Cry for Love’ were written in his girlfriend’s mother’s estate and most of the songs on the album are highly marked by his time in Stockholm after her death.
“The songs are almost too personal and I’ve had a hard time playing them for friends. It’s like all I want to do is keep them to myself.” (Philip). The lyrics are retrospective with themes of lost youth, transience and death.
The first single ‘Dare’ was No.1 on Elbo.ws, ‘Pleasure Songs’ from the debut was Single of the Week on iTunes with half a million downloads. The Mary Onettes have had two songs featured in the TV series Grey’s Anatomy and their first single on Labrador was tagged Best New Music on Pitchfork.
