London-based experimental rock trio Mary in the Junkyard have unveiled their latest single, ‘This Is My California’, marking their first new release since their critically acclaimed debut EP, This Old House, earlier this year. The track, produced by Craig Silvey – known for his work with Sam Fender and Wunderhorse -showcases a more serene and introspective side of the band.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Clari Freeman-Taylor describes the track as “a nostalgic song about finding my own dreams.” She explains, “Seeing ‘California’ through films and TV always felt like a paradise or idea of success that didn’t really resonate with me.” Freeman-Taylor also highlights the song’s recurring theme of escapism, reflected in lyrics about “something lifting you out.” She adds: “Growing up, me and my friends would climb everything, roofs and trees, maybe to feel like we were escaping the place we were in or feel a kind of wonder of how small it was from high up”.
The song retains Mary in the Junkyard’s signature fusion of styles, drawing on the classical backgrounds of Freeman-Taylor and bassist/violist Saya Barbaglia, blended with an experimental rock ethos. The band’s influences, which include Joni Mitchell and Björk, are evident in the layered, atmospheric arrangement of the single, which contrasts the raw energy of their debut release.
The track begins with an echoey and melancholic guitars before lo-fi indie whispered vocals enter the frame. A second stanza sees Freeman-Taylor’s vocals become pained and weepy as increasingly fuzzy guitar add weight as the song builds. The track then reaches a hazy shoegaze-influenced climax, before settling into repose in an ominous, quiet outro.
The band are also set to hit the road for an extensive series of performances. In November, the band will join UK indie rock outfit Sports Team for a nationwide tour, before heading to New York City for two December shows, including a support slot with Model/Actriz and a headlining performance at Baby’s All Right. The trio’s largest UK headline show to date will take place early next year, on 27 February 2025, at London’s iconic Fabric.
Despite being relative newcomers to the music scene, Mary in the Junkyard have quickly built a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging acts. The band’s debut EP This Old House received glowing reviews, with Backseat Mafia calling it a “zany, exceptionally written, beautifully delivered, and altogether absolutely brilliant” release. NME also praised the band’s “dreamy ambition” and noted that the group’s sound goes beyond fleeting trends, establishing them as artists with long-term potential.
