When we get pitched something described by the artist themselves as a “grungy alternative rock project with a New Orleans jazz twist and a punk rock sensibility” (Or “Jazz Punk” for short) then we just have to check it out, right? First because it sounds awesome as fuck (That’s “AF” for all the kids out there) and second because that’s exactly the kind of lengthy ass way we’ve been know to describe more than a few artists across these hallowed pages (Again, might not be “hallowed” quite yet). And that all brings us to today and the latest single from Mars Ray & The Raptures, “Take My Heart (The Toxic Relationship Song)”!
Now are we talking Coltrane and The Cramps? Sex Pistols and Scofield? Mingus and Misfits??? Not quite but that New Orleans Jazz comparison is definitely spot on with Jon Good’s trumpeting lighting up this rowdy Punk Rawk ditty. Surrounding that badass brass is a familiar face from these hallowed pages (Are we “hallowed” now???) in Eliza Waldman of Eliza And The Organix on lead guitar with some fierce fret work along with the Adam Sanandaji and Bill Schoenberg bass/drum show taking some big swings on their version of modern Dixieland. Then there’s the leader of the pack, Mars Ray, on rhythm guitar and lead vox who brings a sort of brevity, levity, and earnestness to this sonic story that speaks on the complexities of being in a toxic relationship and, ultimately, coming out of one stronger.
“Take My Heart (The Toxic Relationship Song)” is out now and can be yours by heading here or to the stream below! For more from Mars Ray & The Raptures, hop on the information superhighway and be sure to stop off here, here, or here for all the latest and greatest from the New York outfit!