"Permanent Recovery", the new EP by Mara Sol: a cathartic and emotional journey through human relationships
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| Mara Sol |
After releasing a number of songs focused on love relationships, Mara Sol felt the need to expand her songwriting. She started to explore who we are as humans through the different relationships in our lives. She says: "In this EP I tell personal stories about friendships, sisterhood, and even relationships with parents. They flow in an unique story of past trauma and the coping process that comes with that. Writing these songs was a healing exercise for me, a recovery journey that I am compelled to share with others. I think sharing stories can help us connect with each other and learn more about each other. When you relate to a story, you may feel less alone, or that you’ve been heard and validated. I believe everyone has important stories to tell".
Teaming up with her in the promotion process of this stunning storytelling EP, I had the opportunity to connect more deeply with Mara Sol and I can tell she is truly a force of nature. Her evocative songwriting and powerful personality are a real inspiration and find complete realization in the melodies of these songs. Mara Sol collaborated with producer John Caviness and co-writer Melanie Medina in this EP creation process that lasted 9 months. She shares: "Permanent Recovery is a labor of love, and I enjoyed every second of the long journey that brought it to life. I loved John’s production on a couple of my previously released songs and I wanted to have him on board in putting the music I had in my head into reality. I worked with Melanie on my debut EP last year and I admire her lyrical songwriting and musicality. She also played all the string instruments except cello, and provided many of the backup vocals. With many of the songs’ stories rooted in my family and childhood experiences, I was also thrilled to bring in three of my sisters on harmonies in the final song". Let's have a listen together to "Permanent Recovery" and then we'll go deeply into the back story behind each song!
The core concept of the whole EP is to narrate a story: the 5 main songs of the EP are interconnected by transition tracks and interludes that musically bring the listeners into the storytelling. Through her powerful poetic lyrics and emotive melodies, Mara Sol gracefully shares with the listeners her family and childhood stories. The first song Other Side, featuring a captivating rhythm and heartfelt vocals, is about supporting a loved one through their addiction recovery and feeling like the only thing you can do is to be there for them when they are ready. The dreamy ballad Flowers is an amalgamation of different friendship stories revealed through the 3 verses, all connected with a different flower: the first one, about childhood friendships and innocence, related to daisies, the second one, about entering adulthood and growing apart, exemplified by roses, and the last one, about losing a friend too early, tied to marigolds brought to the grave. Dreaming to Feel You is the only song centered on a romantic relationship, and it’s an imaginary visualization of how life could be without your partner. It’s an exercise to appreciate what you have in a relationship at the moment, that features rock vibes and a catchy rhythm. The next song, To Be Whole, is the most heartbreaking tale of the EP, underlined by a very emotive cello line. It is about not being in a place of forgiveness when someone passes away, with the risk of being stuck in lifelong trauma and grief. This is also a song about therapy and recovery, and acknowledging that we are the only ones that have control on how we react to traumas. The last song Still Breathing, introduces a light of hope and resilience despite challenges. Its cheerful melody and powerful lyrics shine a feeling of appreciation for being present in the moment, a glimpse of positivity and love for life as it is.
A fun fact is that music isn't Mara Sol's only side activity, I can tell she lived multiple lives: she is marketer by day, she started university at music conservatory and studied classical music, she is a certified Yoga instructor, once started her own business making "fitness cookies", then started another business with cannabis infused baked goods, she went to graduate school later in life (40+) and got a masters in sociology just for fun, was once an Xbox games producer, and had a blog on shoes where she posted about a new pair everyday! I think this is absolutely impressive and it's no surprise she has many stories to tell through music! Follow her journey through the links below!
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| Mara Sol |
Instagram: @marasol.music
Spotify: Mara Sol
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