To Have and to Hold and to Break by Marble Raft: Review

by admin January 17, 2025

January 17, 2025

To Have and to Hold and to Break by Marble Raft: Review

Swedish indie pop duo Marble Raft is back, and their latest single, “To Have and to Hold and to Break,” is nothing short of an escapist odyssey through a shimmering, nocturnal metropolis.

Part of their upcoming album Dear Infrastructure (dropping early 2025), this track layers dreamy melodies with pulsating energy to create a soundscape that feels like stepping into a retro-futuristic cityscape where adventure—and maybe danger—lurks around every corner.

The track opens with lush, buzzing synths and sparkling string machines from the 1970s, setting a nostalgic yet electrifying tone. The interplay between Gabrielle Baker’s luscious, tender vocals and Olle Söderström’s rich, deep voice creates an intimate duet that feels like whispered secrets shared under flickering neon lights. The undercurrent of bustling drums and cascading cymbals keeps the momentum alive, grounding the dreamy haze with a pulse you can’t resist.

This is no ordinary pop song—it’s an emotional and sensory exploration. The duo’s knack for weaving analogue instruments into their sound is on full display, with chimes, autoharps, and mellotrons adding a textured richness that feels organic despite its otherworldly vibe. The track results in simultaneously wistful and exhilarating vibes, evoking a feverish night out drenched in mystery.

The music video, directed by Jonna Laurin, takes this ethereal energy to the next level. Featuring creepy puppets navigating a glitchy, vintage-inspired cityscape, it’s a visual feast of gritty whimsy. With its wistful color grading and retro visuals, it feels like a lost VHS tape documenting a surreal, neon-lit fairytale.

February 2025 can’t come soon enough. If Dear Infrastructure is anything like this single, we’re in for a glowing indie pop adventure through a city where concrete meets nature, and soundscapes tell stories as vivid as the night itself.