With a voice that strikes like a lightning bolt and a heart brimming with queer longing, MARIS is transforming pop one euphoric anthem at a time. Atwood Magazine chatted with the emerging star about her single “Give Me a Sign,” sapphic yearning, and the delight of being unapologetically herself.
“Give Me a Sign (ft. Caroline Kingsbury)” – MARIS
Sometimes, you realize you've entered an extraordinary moment. The stage may have been sparse, just a singer and a drummer, yet the audience was captivated, singing along to every word. It's evident that MARIS (formerly Maris Ward) is destined for the spotlight, exuding commanding and flamboyant energy as she danced in a campy version of a NASA flight suit with a star painted on her face like a Gen Z David Bowie.
The crowd may have gathered for Maude Latour’s impressive presence (we’re fans as well), but this performance feels like the initial spark of a blazing fire. Soon, she seems poised to become a household name among pop enthusiasts, featured prominently on festival posters.
Sapphic pop is currently riding a wave of popularity.
The abundance of queer love songs and tributes to the art of “yearning” may lead one to believe that every woman picking up a guitar and performing on stage is seeking a historical best friend. Frankly, this moment is much needed. Young people growing up in isolated towns, sharing classrooms with the same small group of peers year after year, may feel the world wasn’t crafted for them. They might think they are the only ones within a hundred miles not aspiring for the same monotonous life with the same familiar faces. Now, at the very least, the voices amplified by JBL speakers resonate much more closely with their own.
I want listeners to feel comfortable with their yearning, embracing their open desperation in a playful, chaotic, queer manner.
Give Me a Sign (feat. Caroline Kingsbury) – MARIS
Being a queer artist often comes with the unspoken expectation of being a representative for the community, with your art and presence meant to overcome the numerous obstacles to simply exist as your authentic self. This can create immense pressure and sometimes divert focus from what is most important – being human. Just a person who loves and seeks love. Someone with a massive crush who is too afraid to break the ice. Someone perfectly and painfully normal. It is a privilege to simply be mundane.
That said, MARIS is far from boring. Her vibrant presence in the wave of post-Chappell Roan sapphic pop is attributed to a fusion of her live performance energy, exceptional songwriting, and remarkable vocal control that frequently gives listeners chills during each crescendo. She is an explosion of sound and color, boldly affirming her presence with a resounding declaration of shared emotions.
I don’t know why I don’t just dive
I bet the water is nice
Don’t wanna move until you prove that I’m the
Girl that you like
MARY + I – MARIS
For enthusiasts of Spotify’s New Music Friday, her recent sugary pop offering “Give Me a Sign,” a collaboration with Caroline Kingsbury, has already reached a million streams, making it her most popular track to date. “I never envisioned such a response,” she admits. “It has changed everything.” No surprise there.
With lively synths and polished production, the yearning at the song’s core is elevated. MARIS and Kingsbury alternate between the brink of taking a leap and hesitantly testing the waters. Rather than devolving into a maudlin tale of unreciprocated love, the track bursts with joy and exuberance – as if in the final chorus they are exclaiming, “Isn’t it incredible to feel this heartache?”
On stage, “Give Me a Sign” signifies a distinct transformation in her performance, evolving from an almost caterpillar-like emergence to a dazzling queer euphoria (marked by a costume change as well). However, this is only one of the numerous captivating moments. From the grandiosity of “Heavenly Bodies” to the punk-infused urgency of the unreleased “Jessica,” and the haunting yet affirming ballad “Chameleon,” MARIS dominates the stage one performance at a time. “Salt Water Taffy,” a sun-kissed reminiscence of summertime, crowns her set like a sparkling red cherry. Tubular synths drenched in reverb frame MARIS’ vocals like a fading Polaroid. Halcyon days drift away despite her entreaty:
“Don’t go yet, I was finally happy
In the grass laughing, salt water taffy.”
Just last Friday, MARIS enriched her impressive repertoire with “Mary + I,” another notable piece from her set. The song expands her sonic horizons, intertwining spirituality with indulgence in a breathtaking anthem. Emerging from an unexpected phase of cannabis-induced celibacy, it
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With a voice that strikes like a lightning bolt and a heart brimming with queer desire, MARIS is transforming pop one euphoric anthem at a time. Atwood Magazine had a conversation with the burgeoning artist about her single “Give Me a Sign,” sapphic longing, and the celebration of being unapologetically abundant.