Mary in the Junkyard's Hauntingly Raw "Bear Walk" Confronts Love, Loss, and Longing - Atwood Magazine

      A delicate, hauntingly beautiful indie folk dream, mary in the junkyard's "bear walk" evokes a profound ache, both internally and externally, as the London-based band unfolds a heart-wrenching narrative of love and loss, departure, and yearning.

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      The new single from mary in the junkyard elicits a powerful—and for me, unavoidable—emotional reaction.

      A shiver running down my spine. A complete twist in my stomach. A warm sensation deep within, accompanied by a stunned silence beyond. The last time I experienced something this raw was back in 2008 or ’09, the first time I heard Bon Iver’s “Flume.”

      "bear walk" is a fragile, hauntingly beautiful indie folk reverie that resonates with feelings of love and loss, departure and desire. It's a tender, yet intense portrayal of vulnerability, where the most poignant elements lie in the unsaid words, which leave the strongest impact and echo the deepest.

      bear walk – mary in the junkyard

      In the days of fir trees

      I was on your back

      I didn’t have shoes then,

      you took up the slack

      and spirit guides were

      pulling me apart

      I prayed for you

      so you’d want to stay

      We would feast on the birds

      we caught that night

      in the wild days.

      “‘bear walk’ tells the story of someone attempting to keep their partner with them amidst a wild lifestyle,” the band explains to Atwood Magazine. “It explores the tension between being wild and adhering to norms, inspired by our acoustic performances over the summer.”

      The trio—Clari Freeman-Taylor (vocals, guitar), Saya Barbaglia (bass, viola), and David Addison (drums)—initially formed as a folk project, but have since transitioned into an indie and alternative rock venture, releasing their sonically rich, soul-stirring single “Tuesday” in late 2023, followed by their debut EP, *this old house,* in the spring of 2024. With a focus on all-acoustic instrumentation, “bear walk” highlights their proficiency both with and without amplification, showcasing Freeman-Taylor’s evocative storytelling and captivating vocal talents.

      And at night

      we sat by the fire

      with nothing to ponder

      except my will to survive

      and spirit guides were

      kept inside

      they etched their symbols

      into my eyes

      they whispered you were

      leaving in my dreams

      I thought I had time.

      mary in the junkyard © Herbie Bone

      The outcome is as deeply moving as it is instantly memorable: A moment of nostalgia-drenched stillness that draws us closer not only to the band but to ourselves, as they confront the uncontrollable aspects of our souls and the people who enter—and eventually exit—our lives.

      “bear walk” is undeniably a tribute to simpler times; wistful and gentle, it’s delivered with more love than we can comprehend. Yet, it is also a manifestation of grief, of suffering, of an ache that the narrator struggles to reconcile. It offers a unique and essential form of catharsis and closure for both its creators and its listeners.

      I still haven’t fully grasped what a bear walk is—I’ll likely look it up on Google or YouTube after finishing this—but I certainly resonate with its symbolism and feel deeply both internally and externally when I listen to this track.

      But you left that day

      with a large suitcase

      just like a city boy

      I grimaced in disgust

      and spirit guides were

      falling silent

      I wished the dirt would remain

      under your nails

      I hope there are trees

      outside your window

      I hope you return someday.

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