Maruja Shares Insights on Their Epic Single “Look at Us” and Debut Album “Pain to Power”

Maruja Announces Debut Album

Maruja has revealed its much-anticipated debut album “Pain to Power,” alongside the new single “Look at Us” and details about the world tour. Check out everything below, including our interview with bassist Matt Buonakkorcy.

The Creation of Experience

Welcome to NME 100: “the creation of experience outside the body, where mental sounds are found with quick lights of truths and wild scraps,” where “the tension of our time is finally bursting with one line of the racket.” This Friday, September 12, marks a significant moment in music.

The album was recorded at Low Four Studio and produced by Samuel V. John, who has guided the project through its three EPs to date, including the previously released “Look at Us.” Be sure to check out its 10-minute video, inspired by the intense work of LP Mikey Thomas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw6x2u2t0vi

“All four of us resonate deeply with this song, which can be split into two halves,” Buonakkorcy told NME, describing “Look at Us” as “a fierce cry against the late-stage capitalism and the wealth of the one percent affecting global society.”

“The first half conveys the anger and disappointment of the narrator/us/the listener, focusing on figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. These individuals wield immense power and can influence what we perceive in our lives.”

• READ MORE: Discover Maruja: Jacques-Ophed and the booming jazz scene of Manchester

He added, “The power held by these individuals has created underlying stress, leading to anger. Many references in the first half of the song connect to this, alongside themes of war. Just as greed can manifest among our politicians, it is a worry shared by many.”

The second half of the song transitions to a question: “How can we hope at such a time?” It expresses a message about finding hope amidst the erosion of democracy and the fragmentation of society and culture.

Buonakkorcy continued: “While it’s essential to feel anger and disappointment, we must channel this into collective action—to care for each other and to comprehend how these injuries affect us at both social and personal levels.”

Regarding the cinematic video, Buonakkorcy elaborated on the collaboration with The Light in the Tower Production Company, highlighting how art and dance were used to convey themes of “resistance against oppression.” This idea echoes throughout “Pain to Power.”

“Many subjects on this album reflect our current experiences: worldwide protests, wars, corruption, greed, and the horrors presented through our screens,” Buonakkorcy stated to NME. “It’s easy to feel powerless when faced with such realities. In the past, news of events like those in Palestine would come from newspapers, but now the world is an open stage, showcasing immense suffering from diverse peoples and places.”

“It’s difficult to process all this collective pain. However, the ability to channel our pain into strength—into action, to come together in protest, and to celebrate solidarity and love—is incredibly powerful.”

Maruja is ready to tour this summer, with dates announced throughout Great Britain, Europe, China, Japan, and the United States by the end of the year. The band feels rejuvenated and inspired after their recent extensive tour in North America.

“The experience was incredible,” Buonakkorcy shared. “It’s a massive cultural shock; every state and even Canada had its unique vibe. Our fans were amazing, creating one of the most energetic and thrilling crowds we’ve encountered. New York was my favorite show.”

Discussing ongoing debates around freedom of expression in music, especially following the Coachella incident supporting Palestine, Buonakkorcy expressed gratitude for the engagement of their fans.

“We are living in a politically sensitive time in both nations, with America facing perhaps even more challenges right now,” Buonakkorcy noted to NME. “This connection with our audience was evident. Fans at our shows across the States understood our careful messaging regarding authoritarianism and the alarming directions it could take.”

“America is going through a tough period.”

Maruja is set to release “Pain to Power” on Friday, September 12 through Music for Nations. Check out the full list of tour dates for 2025 below, and the presale for new headlining shows begins at 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday, May 14, with general sales starting at 9 a.m. local time on Friday, May 16. Visit tickets here for more information.

MAYBE
16 – Great Escape, Brighton
23 – Conpass, Osaka
24 – Club Que, Tokyo
27 – Yue Cosmos, Beijing
28 – VAS Livehouse, Shanghai
29 – 9 Club, Hangzhou
31 – Vox Livehouse, Wuhan

JUNE
1 – B10 Live, Guangzhan
2 – Omni Space, Beijing
8 – Lycabettus Hill Theater, Athens (supporting TV on the Radio)
11 – Festival Rock for People, Czech Republic
12 – Ecosystem Festival, Latvia
14 – Flash Festival, Manchester

JULY
11 – Festival Campaigns, Slovakia
20 – Tvspenta Festival, Italy
26 – Festival Sarai Deer, Yorkshire

August
7 – Ypsigrock Festival, Italy
8 – Haldern Pop Festival, Germany
9 – Winterger Musikfestwochen, Switzerland
14 – Paredes de Coura Festival, Portugal
16 – Nizhumenov Festival, Netherlands
17 – Pukkelpop Festival, Belgium
21 – Party of Canel, Spain
23 – Shambhala Festival, Great Britain

SEPTEMBER
22 – Foundry, Philadelphia
23 – Sinclair, Boston
25 – In Another Place, Brooklyn
27 – Concert Hall, Toronto
28 – Waist Hall, Chicago

October
1 – El Rei, Los Angeles
2 – Room of the Constellation, Santa Ana
3 – Independent, San Francisco
4 – Harlows Starting Room, Sacramento
25 – Electric Bristol, Bristol
29 – Garage, Glasgow
31 – Whelan’s, Dublin

November
1 – Limelight 2, Belfast
5 – Castle and Falcon, Birmingham
7 – Wardrobe, Leeds
8 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
12 – Mel, Brighton
13 – Electric Ballroom, London
14 – O2 Ritz, Manchester
19 – Botanika Oriengerry, Brussels
20 – Luxor, Cologne
21 – Paradiso Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam
22 – Bangof Pauli, Hamburg
26 – Hole44, Berlin
28 – BOGEN F, Zurich
29 – Santeria Tuscan 31, Milan

December
3 – M.OU.co., Porto
4 – Lave, Lisbon
5 – Copernico, Madrid
6 – Sala Apolo, Barcelona
10 – Pannonica, Nantes
11 – Le Tetris, Le Havre
12 – Trubendo, Paris