Maryze Premieres Super-Queer Music Video, ‘Experiments’

Montreal-based, queer, bilingual singer-songwriter Maryze recently announced her highly anticipated, debut LP, 8, and ahead of the release, she’s treating fans to a new, dark, and sexy R&B banger, “Experiments,” with an equally queer, gender-bending, and NSFW video to match. The video premieres on OFM today.

Maryze has shared her sexy-but-sweet, alt-pop stylings with the world since the release of her debut EP, Like Moons, in 2019, which charted on Spotify’s Viral 50 Canada and launched a month-long North American tour. She followed the EP with a string of singles from 2020 to 2021, further elevating the artist to land spots in festivals like POP Montreal, Montreal Pride, Wavelength Music Fest, and M for MTL.

In true Maryze fashion, the new LP bends genres, meshing influences from emo to hyperpop to Celtic folk, offering both bombastic electronic production and stripped-down ballads, showing off Maryze’s artistic range.

The sound on “Experiments” harkens back to the distinct, dark, and sexy club sounds of years past, featuring production by Jeshway inspired by the iconic beats of Timbaland and ominous but fun tracks, like Nelly Furtado’s “Maneater.” It’s a must-listen for fans of BANKS, Charli XCX, and Caroline Polachek, though Maryze is clearly crafting a sound and style of her own.

The song thematically focuses on sexuality, taboos, and shame, looking at the vulnerability in intimacy and that sometimes, it takes letting go of control to truly be in control.

The music video is the perfect visual accompaniment, directed by analogue filmmaker Ariana Molly, placing viewers in a surreal, mysterious, and seductive universe. We’re met with intimate close-ups and dramatic wide shots, as Maryze seductively struts and sings with her masked accomplices.

Molly says the video was a nod to the early 2000s, when pop icons were unapologetically sexy and powerful, resonating in their own strength and letting sensuality ooze from every pore.

Maryze chats exclusively with OFM about the new video and track:

“Creating this music video was truly a magical experience. Director Ariana Molly really saw and embraced my gender identity, and never pushed too much femininity on me–We always rounded out the softer looks with a harder edge. It’s pretty rare to be virtually naked in front of a whole crew and still feel in your element. Working with a team of queer friends allowed me to step into my power and showcase who I am without compromising for any kind of gaze. I’m so proud of this project and hope it liberates listeners to embody their sexuality.”

The new record, 8, is due out May 6 via Hot Tramp Records. Watch the video for “Experiments” here:

For more from Maryze, find her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and her official website.

Photo courtesy of Maryze