Billie Marten’s latest offering, Drop Cherries is a testament to the enduring power of this complex and often mysterious emotion, love. From the dizzying highs to its crushing lows, Marten’s delicate yet powerful vocals with its lush, evocative instrumentation, this one is a must-listen for romantics of all stripes.

“I think I am going to enjoy this one the most because it seems like it's going to be the most communal album because I am talking about things that people have experienced, or want to experience, or will experience and this one is for anyone who kind of thinks love doesn't exist and because I certainly didn’t. Anyone who was born with kind of 10% cynicism and nihilism and just learning to enjoy living.”

With each song on this beautifully crafted album, Marten weaves a tapestry of emotions that will resonate with everyone who has ever loved or is waiting to experience this ravishing feeling. And yet, amidst the tumultuous landscape of the heart, this album will make you feel transported to a dreamy world of swirling emotions, where love and heartache are intertwined in equal measure.

In an exclusive press conference organized by 1824, I got to speak to Marten herself and delve into the creative process behind Drop Cherries, exploring the themes and experiences that inspired Marten's latest musical offering.

As a listener, what initially drew me to Billie Marten's music was her impressive songwriting skills. In one of her previous press releases, she mentions:

 "Imagine stamping blood-red cherries onto a clean, cream carpet and tell me that’s not how love feels.”

Exploring the intricacies of love and relationships, Drop Cherries features 12 tracks that offer a unique blend of Marten’s introspective songwriting style and distinctive vocals. The album opens with “New Ideas”,  a dreamy track with a soothing humming sound that sets the mood for what’s to come. Followed by three of my personal favorites that will get you to put the album on repeat, “God Above”, “I Can’t Get My Head Around You” and “Drop Cherries”, this record is not just an album, but an experience that leaves a lasting impression, revealing new layers of beauty and complexity with each play.

During the conference, Marten revealed that the image was actually inspired by a conversation she had with a friend about the impact of relationships. The phrase "dropping cherries" immediately caught her attention, and she wrote it down, leading to the creation of the title track. The song itself embodies the essence of a love story, with lyrics like "I drop cherries at your door when you ask for more," highlighting the beauty of simple moments shared between two people in a relationship. For Marten, the song represents the perfect amalgamation of all the emotions that one experiences while in love, and it was important for her to include it in the album. It's a heartfelt tribute to the lengths we go to for the people we love, even if it means going to Ikea to buy a cherry-colored carpet.

While discussing how she maintains creative control over her music, Marten shared she was fortunate to have received advice early on in her career, which she now passes on to others - "You know what is good and you must follow that instinct." She emphasizes that no one should be allowed to change their musical opinion unless it's helpful, and that creative processes should remain under the control of the artist themselves.

In a world that can often feel overwhelming and chaotic, Drop Cherries provides a moment of comfort and reflection. It is an album that deserves to be listened to, not just for its musical brilliance but also for the emotive and emotional depth it possesses. So, take a moment, put on your headphones, and allow yourself to be transported by the captivating soundscapes of Billie Marten's Drop Cherries. You won't regret it.