Chappell Roan may have “won” Boston Calling last year due to sheer crowd size, but perhaps no one brought a mood as colorful and infectious as MARIS. The Montana-raised, Los Angeles-based alt-pop artist has been on a steady ascent in recent years, her aura acting as a gravitational pull that continues to expand her vibrant orbit, and now achieves new sonic heights with a dazzling new tune called “Give Me A Sign.”
The effervescent electronic-pop tune, which drips with ’80s enchantment, queer empowerment, and whipsmart pop ambition, dropped this past Friday (March 14). It features fellow LA conspirator Caroline Kingsbury, and should sound lovely when MARIS plays Royale opening for Maude Latour on Tuesday night (March 18) here in Boston.
Here’s what MARIS has to say about this magnetic new bop: “Growing up and starting to have romantic feelings in Missoula, Montana meant a few things. One of them being, a slight nervousness around accidentally making the first move on a girl who may not be into me, let alone queer! Because not only does that rejection sting — the potential social ridicule of being gay and making a straight girl feel gross is terrifying. Now, as an adult, I find myself terrified to make the first move, subconsciously begging my crushes to make the first move — so I can know if it’s safe for me to express my own attraction.”
And Kingsbury chimes in with the following: “I saw the icon that is MARIS on Instagram and was blown away by her talent. We set up a writing session and literally from the moment I walked in the door I felt her joy and spirit… we’re ’80s rock vocals mamas… I’ve never felt so seen by another artist!!!!! SOOOOOO our collaboration on ‘Give Me A Sign’ was just a matter of time… and the first of many.”
Take the hint below.