What seemed impossible has finally happened. In the history of music, there have only been a handful of albums that are universally recognized as perfect. I recently looked at some of my older articles, specifically my Rolling Stone Magazine ones, and I realized that the amount of albums I labeled faultless is ridiculous. Since then, my personal list of “perfect” albums has been greatly reduced.
Not only have there been only a select few albums that are utterly flawless to me, that number is reduced to zero when it comes to impeccable albums that I have been around to see them release. Of course, in the 16 years that I have been alive, there have been albums released in that time span that I consider perfect, but in the span that I have actively paid attention to modern music, there has not been any. However, that changed on Friday, September 12, 2025.
I finally have another excuse to talk about Maruja. Yes, the Manchester post-punk band announced their debut album, Pain to Power, in May of this year. I have already extensively covered their EP and singles from this year, and to anyone that has read those reviews, you know exactly how excited I was for their album last Friday. In fact, I stated that I was not worried at all and that my expectations would be met. Just like I predicted, Pain to Power is nothing short of a masterpiece in about every sense of the term.
Vocally, instrumentally, lyrically, and aesthetically, Pain to Power is an anthemic and rage-induced triumph by the world’s greatest band. After my first listen of the album, I discussed my feelings with my dad. I was very hyperbolic and positive, telling him that the album was probably the best thing I have heard all decade. I got the sense that he felt I was overrating it, and I could tell he thought I had a bias for the band. Truthfully, bias aside, Maruja’s debut album is one of the best albums I have ever heard.
The first component that I will highlight is the instrumentals on the album. If Maruja is known for anything, it is their fiery, intense, and technically masterful instrumentation. That trend is once again pursued on Pain to Power. From the opening seconds of the intro Bloodsport, the band is just as apocalyptic-sounding as ever.
Raging, frantic, and unapologetic, are three words that describe the utterly incredible introduction to the album. While it is not as uplifting as some of their other songs, Bloodsport is a fantastic opener; as it is not only appealing to long-time listeners of the band, but also a statement to new listeners, showing that Maruja is a band to be taken seriously.
Every song on Pain to Power is an instrumental highlight. Ranging from hellish and cataclysmic sounding on songs like the all-time great Look Down on Us to deeply inspiring and blissful on tracks like Saoirse and Zaytoun. The range that the band has possessed all year has been nothing short of inspiring.
Speaking of range, earlier in the year, Maruja released their first fully improvised EP, exploring the world of post-rock, a slower moving, repetitive, and at times deafening genre. The band of course knocked it out of the park, as they tend to do often. On their latest LP, they would implement this same song on a number of different tracks, most notably Born to Die.
Even with all the new sounds that the Manchester quartet had been executing, they thankfully did not forget their root sound. Part of the reason I fell in love with Maruja in the first place was the utter chaos of their previous EPs. Songs like Thunder and Zeitgeist continue to be songs I come back to often due to their berserk pace and sound. As time passes, Maruja has learned to transform that berserk sound into a more frantic chaos. This is showcased by Break the Tension, possibly the band’s most chaotic and frantic song yet.
I have said my piece about Look Down On Us, the lead single for the album, many times. As the lead single for the album, this was the song that received the most attention upon its release. Nothing has changed for me, personally, as this song still remains one of my favorites of all time. It is definitely my favorite track on Pain to Power, even though every other song brings just as much brilliance to the table.
Vocally, this album is insane. Like I have stated, the band used to thrive on that very twisted and haywire sound, which is not a genre that typically needs soulful and harmonious singing. Once again, on the new album, Maruja switches it up. Harry Wilkinson, the lead singer of the band, masterfully blends raging dynamic vocals that he is known for, as well as almost angelic singing on the aforementioned Saoirse.
Perhaps the best blend of the two is on the outro of the album, Reconcile. My jaw dropped when I heard this song for the first time. While it may not be my favorite, it very well may be the best. It is obvious how much care went into this song. It is absolutely gushing with quality in the rawest way. It is visceral.
In every sense, Maruja’s Pain to Power is a generational record. Every aspect of it is innovative, experimental, and brilliant. It is extremely consistent, it is extremely confident, and it is without a doubt a spectrum-shifting album in the world of indie rock. Bravo, Maruja.
My rating for Pain to Power by Maruja: 10/10
