Single Review: Let’s Pretend

Russian singer-songwriter Marina Bloom has embraced lockdown as a time of creativity and expression through releasing a series of singles entitled Songs of Isolation. Ordinarily influenced by the likes of Celine Dion and Fleetwood Mac, her latest single Let’s Pretend is a grungier offering than her listeners may have expected. Prolific and talented, Bloom is an artistic force to be reckoned with.

Let’s Pretend manages to be eerie and groovy at the same time. It begins with the unnerving lyric “the man in the mask is waiting for me/ I can hear his breathing on the line”. The horror movie unravels further in the exposition of verse one, with Bloom describing the man’s eyes as “caressing”.

Suddenly the song drops into a more dramatic soundscape. The rhythm section is epic; a booming bass and synth strings give the song a cinematic feel. Marina’s vocals soar over the well-produced track, painting an apocalyptic picture.

The song slows down for a dramatic, stripped back bridge. The ominous bass rumbles in your rib cage as you wait for the drop. The payoff is satisfying. Bloom returns to a final chorus, accompanied by a chorus of backing vocals and an eerie midi xylophone.

Let’s Pretend is cinematic. Bloom builds imagery through her poetic lyrics and strong production. 2020 has thus far been a prolific year for the artist, and we are excited to see where her creative determination takes her next.