Bursting on the fringe of indie rock comes London, UK’s MURMAN and their latest EP, Dazzle . And just as it says, the collection of tracks will do exactly that – dazzle you.
The MURMAN four piece boasts David Murdoch, Domenico Corapi, Felix Paillette, and Arion Petrovski. And together, the singer/songwriters take a swig from synth rock giants Joy Division and The Cure, mixed in a cocktail of Foster the People. The result is a contemporary throwback to when the melodies and the lyrics worked in tandem to catch and hold the listener. And MURMAN throw just enough nods to pop culture that the soundscape is a 360° experience.
The band members came together through a GumTree ad and continue to make waves on London’s music scene. From Murdoch’s Zorro-esque mask and tassel-adorned shirt, MURMAN’s attention to detail starts in the chords and works its way to their showmanship. To date, the group consistently sells out shows in some of the most legendary venues of the capital.
And it isn’t simply the fans that are stepping up and taking notice. MURMAN have collaborated with notable industry figures like The Cure’s David M. Allen, and Josh Hayward of The Horrors. Garmo Mandica served as production maestro for Dazzle.
For MURMAN, the creation of Dazzle “proved to be an all-encompassing experience,” they say. The album was recorded over two days in an East London studio, with the group (alongside Hayward) focussed on “capturing the raw emotion and energy of each track”. As the journey weaves through the four-song strong EP, it’s that attention to detail that shines. The album is a raw, and authentic invitation to the music and beauty of MURMAN.
Dazzle includes the cut “Billie Holiday”; a love song testimony. MURMAN dares the listener to challenge their intense love of the American jazz/swing pioneer; a quest the listener learns they’ll soon lose, while simultaneously falling in love with the song itself. The track “commences with a mellower, introspective tone before escalating to a dramatic, operatic finale,” MURMAN explains. As it jukes and jives around rock, and synth elements, crushing crescendos and playful lyrics, “Billie Holiday” has quickly become a fan-favourite piece.
The album also includes “Falling Down”, “Baptism”, and “I Want to Dance Like Patrick Swayze”; each record another dazzling inclusion. Each solidifying MURMAN’s commitment to rock and roll and classic English indie-punk.
Dazzle will leave you questioning whether the music sprung from the floorboards of a ship from an era past, or if it’s simply been here in the harbour all along. The answer is – it’s here now. And MURMAN is helming it. Prepared to be dazzled.
