Mary Hennessy’s latest single spent years in musical limbo.
‘You’re Gonna Ruin Me’ was written by the Liverpool-based singer-songwriter back in 2021, but was dusted off when a studio invite beckoned.
Not one for verbose bios or lengthy artist statements, Mary does offer some listening recommendations for her latest single: “try it in the car, on a rainy nature walk, when you can’t sleep, or to stop yourself doomscrolling reels”.
When the song starts, Mary’s vocal is close – right next to your ear – like a late-night phone call.
Soft keys and pizzicato strings are panned wide – it feels spacious yet intimate. Interestingly, all the strings you hear throughout this track are a single cello played with different layered techniques.
The song ebbs and flows like a gentle wave, carrying us softly on the breeze. The strings soon open up to become a lush, sweeping backdrop that envelops everything.
I loved the sudden melodic rise when Mary sings “I feel like…”. That subtle change of cadence creates an ever-so-slightly menacing chant that adds one of those memorable surprises so many tracks lack.
There are no unnecessary changes though – no needless crescendos – the song is confident enough to sit in the warm smoke and let the melody of the vocal do the work.
The song’s title leaves little to the imagination, and it’s refreshing to have such a clear-cut lyrical message – a tale of a sudden, intense attraction – with the ever-present threat of impending doom hanging over it all.
“You were sudden
Like an August storm,
You swept over me silently
Caught me cold and quietly”
‘You’re Gonna Ruin Me’ is such a gorgeous blend of dreamy indie-folk and hazy dream-pop that you’ll gladly go down with the ship.
Written by Grubby
