Pop/Review Marble Raft - To Have and to Hold and to Break

Marble Raft is a Swedish indie pop duo consisting of friends Olle Söderström and Gabrielle Werme Baker. The band was created out of their mutual love for ethereal and exuberant indie pop. Together they conjure dreamy indie pop duets with an atmospheric soundscape filled with layers of analogue instruments. Marble Raft debuted in 2021 with their critically acclaimed album Geography A.

Marble Raft's "To Have and to Hold and to Break" is a stunning example of indie pop music, combining lush, analog instrumentation with intricate narrative. The song, which is the second single from their upcoming album “Dear Infrastructure,” transports listeners to a nighttime journey that is full of romance, mayhem, and the excitement of exploration.

The song follows the exploits of two adolescent heroes who are drawn into a vibrant urban environment that is both enthralling and dangerous. Enticed by a mysterious neon power, they set forth on a bizarre adventure, savoring the excitement of the unknown while negotiating collapsing structures and ominous dangers. The striking artwork conjures up a surreal condition and makes comparisons to ephemeral moments of young wonder and recklessness.

A musical treasure, "To Have and to Hold and to Break" is composed of complex layers of analog instruments. The dazzling string synthesizers of the 1970s blend with mellotrons, autoharps, 12-string guitars, and stylophones to provide a rich and varied soundscape. The relationship between these components reflects the song's themes of contrasts: beauty and chaos, danger and excitement.

The production, which was filmed in the Stockholm archipelago, encapsulates the broad energy of the city's center as well as the intimacy of a small place. A remarkable indie pop anthem, Marble Raft expertly combines melody, passion, and atmosphere into a seamless whole.

More than just a song, "To Have and to Hold and to Break" is a compelling story full of mystery, life, and the pull of adventure.