Sober by Marmalade

A timestamp of the band's first chapter, this EP encapsulates the journey from the birth of Marmalade to the band's teenagehood.

‘Sober’ captures a state of mind. It’s a slap-in-the-face realization, a kindhearted reminder from a close friend, a sharp look in the mirror, a groggy morning after, a first sip of coffee.

Each song explores this feeling in a different way—some more abstract, some more literal. “This EP was written in our 20s, a time of self-reflection, uncertainty, bravery, and questioning.”


Track by track - read while you listen:

Bright reflects on the struggle to pursue your dreams and the inner conflict over whether you need to change who you are to achieve them.

At its core, Bright is about feeling inadequate. It begins with a focus on wanting to reach a specific goal, like becoming a rockstar, while feeling as if everything is stacked against you. The song then broadens to explore deeper insecurities, as the character starts questioning whether they are truly liked by their peers and wonders if changing themselves would make them more accepted.

The chorus highlights this internal struggle, with the character asking what they might need to do to achieve their dreams and become “bright”. These questions remain unanswered, reflecting the reality of life as I see it: a continuous journey of self-acceptance. I wonder whether anyone ever feels entirely "good enough" or truly like they've "made it".

Awkward explores the morning-after realisation and the emotional battle that comes with caring about others' perceptions of you.

The song was inspired by an uncomfortable one-night stand experience, where you think someone is cool, go home with them, and then realise they're not what you expected and you don’t connect like you thought you would. It captures the thought process of someone who’s caught in this realisation, wishing they could escape without hurting the other person.

With a playful and ironic tone, Awkward presents a universal experience. It’s not just about a romantic one-night stand; it's about the broader feeling of meeting someone who initially seems cool, but as you get to know them, you realise you don’t really get along—even when the people around you, like the character's parent in this case, think they’re wonderful.

Houston is a cry for help, delving into a deep insecurity and a desperate yearning to disappear.

The song explores a dark place where the character feels trapped and unable to reach out for the help they need, despite desperately wanting to. It carries a somber tone, reflecting frustration with people who only offer help when it benefits them, and a sense of isolation, as if no one truly cares. The hook line, “somebody help me out,” represents the character's final plea for support.

While the song has deep, emotional themes, we perform it in a way that invites audience participation. We encourage listeners to join in and scream “SOMEBODY HELP ME OUT!” because, let’s face it, everyone feels overwhelmed sometimes. By engaging the audience with this song, we hope to make people feel less alone and connected through this shared experience.

Caffeine High captures the experience of working as a barista, highlighting caffeine addiction and the search for one's place in the world.

Reflecting on the experience of working at a small, local coffee shop where customers frequently share their problems while placing their orders, Caffeine High offers an ironic twist on being paid minimum wage to listen to the details of other people's lives. The characters in the song unload their most dramatic issues, adding a humorous touch to the idea of a barista being an unofficial therapist. It's a lighthearted take on the everyday absurdities of working in hospitality. However, Caffeine High is about more than just being a barista, it's about what it means to be a listener and observer, and the emotional weight of giving more than you take from people.

Cigarette Habit explores the theme of substance abuse through the story of two friends entangled in addiction, trying but failing to support each other, and ultimately sinking together.

Unlike some of our other songs, Cigarette Habit didn’t start with a clear narrative. It evolved over time into a depiction of addiction and the struggle to overcome it. The song portrays two characters, each battling their own addiction and yearning to escape their circumstances, but lacking the support and willpower to help themselves or each other. The song shifts perspectives between the two characters, reflecting their mutual desperation and helplessness. With a melancholic tone, it conveys a sense of sorrow and a cry for help, while the chorus captures the feeling of disorientation and confusion that often accompanies addiction.

Tāmaki Makaurau-based five-piece Marmalade are a group of friends that write music in their living room. Swinging somewhere between clean-pop and indie-rock, Marmalade’s soaring female vocals and honest lyricism float above a steady musical backbone to create a juicy jar full of sounds.