“Africa” by Darien Martus is a captivating rock anthem with an imaginative concept, painted with vivid and mysterious lyrics. Starting out simply with acoustic guitar and a lead vocal, the track transforms from a moody ballad to theatrical rock, combining an eclectic range of sounds and influences. From layers of chanting background vocals to a raging saxophone solo, there are plenty of surprising moments musically that add to the arrangement’s eccentricity and depth.

Instead of aiming for a conventional build up, the presence of each instrument clearly comes from an intentional choice—allowing the lyrics to speak louder in certain parts, or to fade into the background, contributing to the bigger picture. Martus has the voice of a wise storyteller, and his bold vocals add character to the song—an element that’s irreplaceable.

His lyrics beautifully bring nature and history to life. “Great beasts can roam the ocean, birds fly to the southern skies.” He creatively writes from the perspective of a man who’s one of the first to exist: “walking alone with the sound of my feet with this beautiful stone, I can build, I can sleep.”

Memorable and flowing with imagination, the songwriting of “Africa” is carefully thought out and blossoms through its intricate instrumentation. Its ambiance and detailed imagery transports you into the story’s world.” Saya Mochizuki and Staff, Please Pass the Indie

“A gentle and flowing arpeggiated piano surrounded by ambient strings opens Darien Martus' indie-pop song, "Hold Me Tonight." Martus wrote, produced, and recorded the song as a solo artist.

In the beginning, the musical landscape is contemplative. Martus enters singing, "Life is hard / Or did you know / It’s not a fairytale / Love can hurt / Or it can heal." Martus' vocal performance is intimate and stirring. With a rich tone, Martus' baritone voice is expressive, filled with nuance and character. similar to artists like Leonard Cohen.

As the song moves forward, it opens up (to the ear's surprise) with an electronic backbeat that takes the tempo from pensive to upbeat and hopeful. The electrifying track moves through your veins like a pop song you can dance to with an expansive sound that is easy to get lost in. Soon a clap track arrives and the transition from a melancholy ballad to energetic mid-tempo EDM-indie-pop piece is fully realized.

Lyrically, "Hold Me Tonight" is poetic. Martus utilizes contrast, both musically and lyrically, to bring out the harshness of a cold world and the warmth of love which is "our only hope." "It can be hard and cold Love alone Our only hope Our only fairytale."

At the end of the song, Martus returns once more to the soft, ballad presentation heard in the beginning. His arrangement, full of color. texture, dynamics, and surprising transitions, locks the ear in from the beginning to the end. Simply put, it's mesmerizing on multiple levels.

Darien Martus' "Hold Me Tonight" is a very-well-conceived and performed indie-pop song. Utilizing a suitcase full of musicality, the song is untraditional, yet it yields a timeless feel. The subject matter captures both despair and hope in a way that gets under your skin and is truly unforgettable.“