Marissa Burwell shares brutal introspection on her new single, “Coward”
Marissa Burwell is an indie act from the heart of Saskatchewan, known best for her captivating yet endearing performances. 2022 marked the release of Burwell’s first full-length album, Bittersweet, firmly establishing her distinctive sound and clearing a path for her onto some of the most exciting stages in North America and Europe, including the New Colossus Festival in NYC, the El Mocambo in Toronto, and an upcoming performance at Reeper Bahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany this September.
Burwell’s latest offering, “Coward” was released today, via DevilDuck Records, and is the lead single from her forthcoming EP, which will be out September 8, 2023.
Lead by Burwell’s tender vocal delivery, “Coward” is sonically adorned with sparkling synth and indie rock electric guitar, wrapped around a grounding drum beat. With the chorus “I’m a coward can’t say what I want/ Its on my tongue but I can’t spit it out / Wearing a blindfold and a gag in my mouth, I tied it myself” Burwell certainly packs an emotional punch, sharing vulnerable and brutal introspection.
Burwell shares the inspiration behind “Coward,”
“This song began being written mid-tearful phone conversation when I realized that I wasn’t being honest with myself. At the time it was just a statement written down but resulted in deep reflection, looking at where my desire to play something safe originated, where it came from to not trust what my body and mind were telling me.”
The track was produced, mixed, and recorded by Chris Dimas, also the drummer of the Juno-nominated band Bleeker. The song features Burwell on vocals with Chris Dimas on drums and keys, Tom Duff on guitar, and Madison Nicol on guitar and bass.