Joyce Martens – This Night (2023)
When we last heard Joyce Martens, she was singing about perfection – or rather the beauty of perfection through imperfection. Instead of living according to other people’s standards by hitting those milestones where you need this and that to be acceptable, singer-songwriter Martens chooses originality instead of stereotypical perfection. Without any experience as a musician, Martens delved into composition and songwriting during the Covid-19 pandemic. Standing up as a mother, social worker, and slightly older than the stereotypical newcomer, the Dutch artist is a testament to originality, individuality and being a little off the perfect path.
Along with her well-received singles ‘Perfect’ and ‘You Bring Me Home’, Martens releases her new song ‘This Night’. All taken from her debut EP, A Little Time, the tracks touch on the deeper, intimate elements of life as an adult. From frustration and confusion to acceptance and empowerment, A Little Time is Marten’s journey of self-discovery. With ‘This Night’, she explores the listless feeling of being lost in a world filled with responsibilities. A yearning to enjoy life and experience passion without being consumed by constant “meeting the target”.
Penned on a night when she went out with her partner, Martens wanted to capture the feeling of excitement in ‘This Night’. The smooth pop-rock vibe swiftly carries us off on a mellifluous wave of gentle calm and joy. Taking a deep breath and just enjoying the moment, the melody gives us time to sit back with feel-good vibes. Using an intimate slick of folk, you feel even calmer losing yourself in the warm bubble.
While the song is chilled, a vulnerability can be heard through the poetic but melancholy lyricism. Raw, brash and brutally honest, Martens captures that adult life with its pressures; however, the cheery brightness of passion and excitement is a sliver of light beneath a dark cloud. Martens explains:
“The best things in life can take time but it is worth the wait…that’s what life is all about… We all need a little fire, happiness, music and love to keep standing in what life has ahead of us.”
For more from Joyce Martens, check out her Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more indie-folk masterpieces on The Other Side Reviews Indie Folk playlist:
