Maria Lane Unveils the Hauntingly Intimate "Black and Blue Deluxe: Deeper Shades"
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Maria Lane follows up with Black and Blue Deluxe: Deeper Shades. The album is a intimate follow-up to her debut, documenting the deep feelings wrought by trauma, romantic relationships, and toxic attachments. With the astral textures of indie-rock and the direct songwriting of indie-folk, Maria creates music that's gentle and powerful. Inspired by the likes of Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzy McAlpine, the new release is an unapologetic exploration of vulnerability — with songs like "body count" and "safekeeping" enabling listeners to understand the underlying feelings of desire, self-doubt, and survival.When Maria completed her first Black and Blue album, Maria felt there was still more to say — a call to dig up more stories that were hiding in the shadows. It was this feeling that brought Deeper Shades to life, a special edition that not only returns to familiar territories but investigates them more deeply. The title itself evokes the darker affective tones of this chapter, touching on the effects of childhood trauma, sexual assault, and the fragile connection between intimacy and fear. Songs such as "it's not you, it's me (afraid of making love)" expose the struggle to want intimacy while at the same time running away from it, dealing with intimacy like you would deal with a battlefield.
Recorded in Brooklyn with her close friend and producer Justin Meyer, the album keeps its unique sound while developing some. Jess Li's violin adds a beautiful texture to the songs, and Maria's new rubber bridge guitar adds a soft, nostalgic feel that contributes to the contemplative nature of the album. Emphasizing Meyer's work on guitar and Joey Messina-Doerning's work on mastering, Deeper Shades effectively captures the intricate textures in indie-folk without compromising on the cathartic buildups and soft-loud dynamics typical of indie-rock. This project is replete with references, richly lyrical, and emotionally balanced, therefore deliberately combining aspects of the past and present together.
Maria Lane brought her album to life at her April 11 release show at Our Wicked Lady in Brooklyn. The performance coincided with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The timing of course wasn't accidental. Maria's music tackles tough issues face-on, in a loving and truthful manner. “You are not alone if you’ve experienced someone touching you without your consent,” she shares. A important message woven into the very fabric of the album itself. With Black and Blue Deluxe: Deeper Shades, Maria Lane offers a collection of beautiful bruised songs and a space for others to be heard and understood.
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