A Voice Rising from the Mist of Manchester
Manchester-based band Maruja had long been drawing attention with the energy of their live shows. Their debut album Pain to Power was released on September 12, 2025, under the Music for Nations label. The band members are Harry Wilkinson (vocals & guitar), Joe Carroll (saxophone & vocals), Matt Buonaccorsi (bass), and Jacob Hayes (drums). The album includes tracks such as Bloodsport, Break the Tension, Look Down On Us, Saoirse, and Trenches.
Critics’ Opinions
Pitchfork (Madison Bloom) emphasizes that the album successfully transfers Maruja’s intense stage energy into the studio. She notes that the genre transitions are bold and sharp, spanning from free jazz to hardcore punk, alt-rock, and hip-hop. However, she also mentions that some tracks feel disjointed in flow and transitions can be abrupt. Bloodsport and Break the Tension are highlighted as the most striking and dynamic tracks on the album.
According to Metacritic, the album received positive feedback from 6 out of 7 reviews. Publications like Paste and Kerrang! praised the intensity of the tracks and the album’s atmosphere.
The Quietus (George Francis Lee) notes that while the album has high potential, some songs feel similar and repetitions can be sensed in the overall flow.
IndieBird Perspective
When evaluating Pain to Power by considering both the critics’ highlights and weaknesses, we see Maruja emerging as a bold debut act. Tracks like Break the Tension and Bloodsport translate the raw energy of live performances into the studio, delivering an immediate intensity to the listener. While some transitions in the album feel slightly disjointed, the daring genre experiments and the balance between anger and hope make Maruja a standout entry in the indie scene. The genre shifts, the wail of the saxophone, and the aggressive rhythms inject both raw and authentic energy into the album.
