The band – comprised of Clari Freeman-Taylor (vocals, guitar), Saya Barbaglia (bass, viola), and David Addison (drums) – have quickly made waves in the UK’s underground scene. All classically trained and rooted in South London’s DIY circuit, they’ve built a reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic new acts in the country. With a recent NME cover and support for the UK tour of major indie rock group Wet Leg, Mary In The Junkyard are quickly becoming a formidable presence both on and off stage.

‘Drains’ sees the trio embrace a heavier, more abrasive palette. The track is a distorted, guitar-driven meditation on the unseen – a tribute to the cities bustling and forgotten underground. As the song builds to its climax, Addison’s frenzied drumming collides with Freeman-Taylor’s visceral, cathartic scream, pushing the band’s emotional and aural boundaries.

The single reveals Mary In The Junkyard’s movement into a new musical direction. Moving away from the delicate energy of their debut single ‘Tuesday’, ‘Drains’ shows a fearlessness in the exploration of the band’s sonic potential. This single showcases the band’s versatility, lyrical prowess, and strong technical ability.

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In a statement about the inspiration behind the track, Freeman-Taylor shared: “I’m curious about the bowels of the city. We don’t see what’s below, but there are so many pipes and caves. My friend once said, ‘If you bury yourself, I will dig you out again,’ and I wanted to immortalise that because it made me feel so warm.”

Accompanying the release is a striking visual directed by Edie Lawrence. The video fuses live-action and puppetry to illustrate the story of a man dwelling in the sewers, silently observing the lives of those above him. It’s a surreal and arresting visual that signals a bold new artistic chapter for the band.

Mary In The Junkyard show no signs of slowing down following their recent supporting tour, with plans to tour the USA in September 2024. Their latest track, ‘Drains’, marks the second single released since their debut EP, fuelling speculation about a potential full-length album. You can also read our review of their previous single, ‘This Is My California’ here.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Clari Freeman-Taylor describes the track as “a nostalgic song about finding my own dreams.” She explains, “Seeing ‘California’ through films and TV always felt like a paradise or idea of success that didn’t really resonate with me.” Freeman-Taylor also highlights the song’s recurring theme of escapism, reflected in lyrics about “something lifting you out.” She adds: “Growing up, me and my friends would climb everything, roofs and trees, maybe to feel like we were escaping the place we were in or feel a kind of wonder of how small it was from high up”.

The song retains Mary in the Junkyard’s signature fusion of styles, drawing on the classical backgrounds of Freeman-Taylor and bassist/violist Saya Barbaglia, blended with an experimental rock ethos. The band’s influences, which include Joni Mitchell and Björk, are evident in the layered, atmospheric arrangement of the single, which contrasts the raw energy of their debut release.

The track begins with an echoey and melancholic guitars before lo-fi indie whispered vocals enter the frame. A second stanza sees Freeman-Taylor’s vocals become pained and weepy as increasingly fuzzy guitar add weight as the song builds. The track then reaches a hazy shoegaze-influenced climax, before settling into repose in an ominous, quiet outro.

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The band are also set to hit the road for an extensive series of performances. In November, the band will join UK indie rock outfit Sports Team for a nationwide tour, before heading to New York City for two December shows, including a support slot with Model/Actriz and a headlining performance at Baby’s All Right. The trio’s largest UK headline show to date will take place early next year, on 27 February 2025, at London’s iconic Fabric.

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Despite being relative newcomers to the music scene, Mary in the Junkyard have quickly built a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging acts. The band’s debut EP This Old House received glowing reviews, with Backseat Mafia calling it a “zany, exceptionally written, beautifully delivered, and altogether absolutely brilliant” release. NME also praised the band’s “dreamy ambition” and noted that the group’s sound goes beyond fleeting trends, establishing them as artists with long-term potential.