LUNA MARBLE – Luna Marble (2025) HQ *Exclusive*
320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2
One of the complaints from a particular sector of the rock and roll world is “there’s nothing good in rock anymore.” That is far from the truth; there is an entire community of artists and bands, gathered under the “New Wave of Classic Rock” banner, which are bringing the goods. These bands include major acts like Greta Van Fleet and Dirty Honey, as well as British rockers Massive Wagons and The Dust Coda.
Add another newcomer to that list, who should soon take their place in that hierarchy, in LUNA MARBLE, who have recently released their eponymous debut album “Luna Marble“.
With this collection of previous singles (remastered for the album) and newer tracks, Luna Marble don’t so much reproduce the sound and image of a bygone golden age as capture its very essence and drag it kicking and screaming into the 2020s with their own unmistakable blend of blues, psychedelia and no-nonsense rock energy.
Indeed, it’s remarkable to consider that these Manchester four highly accomplished young musicians should feel such an affinity with a brand of music which has its roots in a time long before they were born, let alone have the ability to deliver with such freshness, panache and technical flair.
Spearheaded by the twin powerhouses of vocalist par excellence Maria Rico and guitar legend-in-the-making Dragos Colceriu and underpinned by the imaginatively reliable bass of David Grundy, the band have been releasing a stream of jaw-dropping singles and staged consistently thrilling live shows, often in the form of their sparkling, self-styled Rock & Roll Circus gigs.
It only seemed fair then that we hand over the reins to the band themselves this time and reproduce an ‘in their own words’ guide to ”Luna Marble” – the album.
Luna Marble came together about five years ago, with a love of Seventies rock. The band would hone their style over the battleground that is the Manchester music scene and, once they had conquered that world, decided to take the show on the road to Europe. This trial-by-fire in the kiln of rock and roll has turned the band into a crack unit, something that is easily hearable in the new album.
The first single from the album is “Crazy Loving,” a perfect introduction to the band. Through the twangy opening guitar licks from Colceriu, Rico’s mournful and soulful voice echoes over the opening riffs. She builds in intensity until finally exploding, as the rest of the band comes in with a quasi-Western twang that is wholly rooted in the rock and roll ethos.
Rico’s voice is a powerful weapon. She can be simultaneously the waif waiting for instructions or the dominant woman entirely in control of her being. I was reminded a bit of a Janis Joplin-esque wail to her sound, one that drags the listener in and commands attention. She is the perfect lead for this contingent of rockers, and they, in turn, provide the extra kick behind Rico when she is not belting it out.
“Crazy Loving” isn’t the only thing you should hear from this disc. “Running” provides a chugging backdrop to Rico’s silky-smooth delivery, while “The Ride” sounds like something that Bad Company might have produced. The album concludes with an aching rendition called “Mad World.” It is an acoustic track, performed live, with just a piano and an occasional touch of guitar accompanying Rico, and it serves as an excellent example of Luna Marble’s musicianship and the strength of their vocalist.
I hate to put it like this, but this is an album true rock and roll fans should devour —and if they do not, we need to question their rock bona fides.
Luna Marble (the album) is an excellent, demonstrative piece of NWOCR gold that deserves global attention. One of the best debut albums of the year.
Highly Recommended
You saw it here first at 0dayrox
01 – Running (Remastered)
02 – All of My Love (Remastered)
03 – Crazy Loving
04 – So Long
05 – Sea Of Sorrow (Remastered)
06 – Redemption (Remastered)
07 – The Ride (Remastered)
08 – Begging Mercy (Remastered)
09 – Waves
10 – Mad World (Live Acoustic)
Maria Rico (vocals)
Dragos Colceriu (guitar)
David Grundy (bass)
Sean Stewart (drums)
BUY
lunamarble.bandcamp.com/music
