Setting the tone with an immersive and dimensional synthscape with luscious vocal textures and arpeggiated keys, Mary Knoblock opens Mustang Runners with intrigue and drama. We immediately connect with the mantra-esque delivery and the cosmic canvas of sound that the star creates, as she takes us on an evocative and dynamic journey.
The opus expands into a cohesive tapestry of elegant sonic architecture which feels both transcendental and healing. Speaking on the ethereal release, Mary confesses, “Mustang Runners is about an interaction with a friend who was critically ill, and my experience navigating trying to walk alongside someone in tragedy and heartache and pain.”
The rising star continues, “As an empath I had a ton of emotions around the experience and couldn’t process it into words until years later in this song. We were a bit of two Mustang Runners, on a journey that crossed paths at a critical time and created a highly emotive dynamic experience that I’ll never forget and was so blessed to be a part of regardless of the pain it entailed.”
Expanding on the creative process, Mary adds, “I had this moment of oh wow, I feel like I was listening to RL Grime’s first album which I loved, and at that moment, I felt I had crossed another path in my journey in experimental avant-garde composition. It was a moment of joy when I knew I had broken through a plateau of composition in EDM music specifically and being able to combine my weird vocals was such a fun experience.”
Mary cites an extensive list of influences including RL Grime, Nils Frahm, Max Richter, Alfonso Peduto, Tambour, Johann Johannsson, Jon Thor Birgisson, Peter Gregson, Moby, Radiohead, Jaguar Sun, Cospe, Gregory Alan Isakov, FKA twigs, Bon Iver, Cat Power, Tori Amos, Big Thief, and Dave Brubek to name a few, but it is clear that the visionary creator is manifesting a universe of her own.
We deeply appreciate the high concept and cathartic nature of the composition, and have added Mustang Runners to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream Mary Knoblock‘s wider discography, including her 2023 albums, Emerald Veins, and Heal Hypnosis Volume 1.