Mavi Phoenix

About

" A phoenix rises to the call, with songs about freedom and confidence "

Originally starting out as a glitch, English-language rap artist Mavi Phoenix has developed into a suave, neo-folk, indie artist, like a modern-day Peter Doherty, sprouting from the seeds of the European rap scene.

And like his artist’s namesake, transitioning like a phoenix is at the very heart of the musician’s narrative. Coming out as transgender and then having undergone gender reassignment, the singer-songwriter has become closer to his true self, and to celebrate this, he named his latest LP ‘MARLON’, his new first name.

Touching upon issues of modern-era dating, mental health, and artistry, the LP is a deep and melancholic listening experience, with elements of Britpop steeped into its sonic qualities. In reality, the album is a big transition from his 2020 debut offering, entitled ‘Boys Toys’, a brash and edgy record that bordered on the lines of pop and rap, and directly tackled the issues surrounding gender dysphoria. Yet, at only 26 years of age, ‘MARLON’ is a very stern and mature offering, far beyond his years. Following breakout single ‘Quiet’, success and recognition have come in droves: To date, the singer-songwriter has appeared at Primavera Sound, Roskilde and Melt!, with plenty of press support to boot.

Even with the development of his sound, the root ethos of his music has always remained the same. Although the beats and pacing may have changed, the struggle within the lyrical framework, and the drawn-out choruses are still there. Along with the transition to a more guitar-based sound, the Austrian exudes more confidence through his desires and self-portrayal throughout his latest tracks. This can be heard to great effect on stand-out track ‘Leaving’, a track about having the confidence to move on from a toxic relationship, in which the singer flaunts his new look through appearing topless in the Berlin-shot video. It’s fun, engaging, and broad-minded music, written by an artist who is growing within themselves, never fearing to rise like a phoenix to any occasion.