Indie rock singer/songwriter Briston Maroney recently released his second studio album titled “Ultrapure.” This album has been long-awaited since his last album “Paradise” was released in the spring of 2021. The 41 minute-long album consists of 13 songs, exploring just about every emotion you could think of.
For those who were fans of the upbeat and fast paced songs featured on “Paradise,” a fair warning should be given that “Ultrapure” is totally different. This record is defined by its slower ballads, and mellow and melancholic feel, while still holding true to Maroney’s distinct style.
The greeting song to the album, titled “Intro,” is a short 45 second preview that sets the atmosphere for the rest of the album with a heavy emphasis on the acoustic guitar as well as lyrics alluding to childhood. An interesting addition to this track that is spotted throughout the record is the chirping of birds that can faintly be heard in the background.
Track two, “Body,” was released as a teaser for the album about 5 months ago. This is one of few songs on the album that picks up the pace and favors more of a digital sound. Maroney’s voice is slightly altered, leaving him sounding more like a robot. “Body” is a song that sticks with the listener as it deals with the finitude of people, recognizing that we merely inhabit our flesh, and once we die, that is all our body is. The inevitableness of human deterioration as time marches on inspires Maroney to “love like I might never get to love someone again.”
Unlike the living in the moment tone of “Body,’ many of the tracks involve Maroney looking back at the past or ahead at the future and recalling how life changes. “Breathe,” the third track, is about wanting to grow and change but also reminding oneself to breathe and let the change come naturally, rather than staying stagnant waiting for it to appear. On the other side of this the song “Sunburn Fades” is all about what the future may bring. After detailing the emotions and growth found in his twenties Maroney closes the song questioning if the hard times will get better, and the listener is left without a clear answer.
A major theme across tracks seems to be a struggle with anxiety and self-worth. In track number eight, “Detonator,” Maroney confesses his struggle with confidence. The song delves into new love and all the worries that come with it. The first verse conveys these emotions perfectly.
“Another sleepless night on the fact that you asked for advice / You’ve got an ex-boyfriend / And there it goes, my sudden confidence / I guess I let him win / ‘Cause I swore to God I wouldn’t let this in my head / Now you’re just checkin in / You want the truth but it feels like a chance to slip”
Similar to track eight, track 11 “Sink;Swim” focuses on mental battles,but dealing fully with oneself rather than the influence of one’s environment. Maroney sings of missing old friends and how people change, but it seems as if he believes change is something he struggles with. He sings,
“I heard that the fastest way to keep yourself in the same place / To worry ’bout the things you haven’t done / I’ve been trying the best I can / To make sure I don’t miss my chance / But I don’t think that I’m the only one”
Even though it may seem as if the entire album is a rainy, gloomy record, there are still glimpses of hope and love. Songs like “Chaos Party,” “The Idea” and “Spring” all focus on finding someone you love and want to be with forever.
This second major showing of Maroney’s cements him as a musician with a range of sound and emotion. Maroney’s heartfelt lyrics and care for his craft are easy to hear, and we can only hope to see more of him in the future.
