Maja Lena is the new project of Marianne Parish, formerly of Low Chimes, and today she’s announced her debut album The Keeper, which will come out on July 23 through Chiverin. She’s also shared the album’s title track, saying:
“The song name ‘The Keeper’ to me resembles the keeper of the self. It is what I decided to call the album as it summed up a lot of the themes for me. The song itself is about our relationship to ourselves and how we view ourselves. Whether we hold trust in ourselves and if the way in which we strive can ultimately lead to us feeling less satisfied in life.”
While seemingly a simple acoustic folk song, “The Keeper” has more presence and depth, subtly created through the way the guitar is recorded, the wisps of fiddle, rusted atmospherics, and of course Maja Lena fantastic voice. As she takes this deep dive into herself, it’s impossible not to envision her sitting in some verdant scenery, quietly spending the time enjoying the elements and receding into her mind, discovering new depths inside herself and new pathways to internal peace. “Sometimes the lines are a little blurry,” she admits, harmonising with guest Rachel Dadd, but it’s not a problem; she’s patient and sanguine, and prepared to take more time to keep returning to “The Keeper” in order to keep learning more about herself.
Below you can watch the playful video, filmed with husband Luke Oakley-Smith on VHS camcorder. Otherwise find “The Keeper” on your preferred platform.
Maja Lena’s debut album The Keeper arrives on July 23 via Chiverin (pre-save). You can find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
