New Music: Maja Lena – Portal

Maja Lena (Marianne Parrish, formerly of alt-folk band Low Chimes) has followed up 2021’s The Keeper with the electro-pastoral delight that is their Pluto LP. A particular highlight of the album is the cosmic folk of Portal.

Elements of the song will be familiar to fans of Kate Bush, ionnalee, and Aurora as the song explores pop and other genres from an almost outsider perspective. Inventive yet accessible, and channelling preconceptions without shutting the listener out, Portal is just that – a gateway into other sounds and musical worlds

Says Lena of Portal, “I’d been watching a lot of Star Trek TNG at the time and was craving lots of experimental and space inspired sounds and beats, which Rob (producer) and Sasha (Lewis, on drum programming and synths) brought to life. Rob played a lot of great synth wig-outs during recording which were really fun to listen to!”

Maja Lena will carry out a headline tour of the UK in January and February 2023 in support of Pluto – check out their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter socials for ticket details.

Portal and the Pluto album are out now on CD and can be downloaded on Bandcamp. If you liked Portal and want to hear more music from Maja Lena, head over to Spotify and Apple Music to show them some streaming love.