New York City-based artist Selett makes a great entry with the release of “Marionette,” the lead single from her upcoming self-titled EP, slated for release in January 2024. The single debuts alongside a video visualizer by David Terranova, offering us a first taste of what’s to come from Selett’s new project. Today, we give you exclusive access to this single, shining a light on Selett’s direction ahead of her EP release next year. You can check out the single at this link.
Selett spoke about the creative process behind “Marionette,” revealing the song’origins and the depth of its themes:
I wrote this song on the toilet out of the exasperation of what I feel different ideologies can drum up by the way of evils. I believe in love and not martyrdom. The puppeteering of people is something I’ve always found mind boggling. I was very pained writing this. I’m not an activist and have no interest in speaking on that as I write from a solemn place. This song is authentic to that kind of self expression.
The song is a clear-eyed look at the choice between echoing the sentiments of a group and staying true to one’s own voice. It speaks to the challenge of not losing oneself in the noise of societal expectations and the importance of maintaining personal integrity against the lure of collective narratives. The song is a clear expression of personal truth, a reflection on the pressures of conforming to the prevailing currents of thought in our times. The single encourages maintaining personal integrity in the face of widespread ideological demands. Which, is something we all need to do.
“Marionette” gives sense of self-awareness and a declaration of personal autonomy. The lyrics speak to the struggle of resisting roles that others may try to impose, emphasizing a firm stance against being maneuvered against one’s will. The words paint a picture of someone who recognizes the difficulty in maintaining self-identity – “I haven’t forgotten who I am” – and resists the label of being someone’s “pet.’
Selett’s “Marionette” carries a melody that acts as a portal to a bygone musical era, a period redolent with the deep, rich aromas of incense lingering in a warmly lit, sepia-toned setting. The song’s composition is layered with a dreamlike haze, a gauzy curtain drawn across the boundary between then and now, inviting a sensory experience akin to a languid summer’s embrace.
Her vocal approach in “Marionette” is a confluence of crystal-clear articulation and a robust, grounded strength. It mirrors the time-honored tradition of folk music, where storytelling is paramount. There’s a finesse to her performance; her voice envelops you in its warm, rich timbre. Through her lyrics and the ethereal soundscape she creates, Selett invites us into a reflection on self-identity and autonomy.
The single sets a precedent for what we can expect from her upcoming EP, scheduled for release in the early part of 2024.
