Molly Marlette

Molly Marlette doesn’t reinvent the diary-turned-lyrics wheel on her debut EP The Allumette; her wheel is just more interesting. From the first few bars of the opening track, “Sleep Must Heal the Heart,” it’s clear that this isn’t going to be another girl and her piano therapy session. Marlette, 20, is a true lyricist, miles beyond the trite, predictable rhymes of the average singer/songwriter. Instead of forcing her lyrics upon us, her delicate delivery quietly calls the listener to lean in closer. Marlette doesn’t list Nellie McKay as one of her influences but she does list Red Hot Chili Peppers, which is tantamount to Oasis listing Mandy Moore as an influence but asking “Who are these Beatles you speak of?” Marlette even replicates the breathy panting of McKay’s “The Dog Song” on her own “Constantly.” The main difference between the two artists is that while McKay sounds like she is addressing the audience, The Allumette is more of a bedroom confessional. On “Sleep Must Heal the Heart” and the title track, “The Allumette” (an allumette is a matchstick), Marlette sounds like she is whispering to her sleeping lover beside her. The effect is intimate, vulnerable and devastatingly beautiful. Fans of those singer/songwriters who have the breadth to smoothly blend quirky and quiet (Nellie McKay, Jill Sobule) are sure to embrace Molly Marlette and The Allumette. With that much talent, she’ll probably even capture some Red Hot Chili Pepper fans. - The Deli LA-Jamey Bresden

LA.CityZine brings you artist, Molly Marlette, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. Molly Marlette and her songs may sound fragile at first but after just one listen to songs such as “The Allumette,” you’re bound to discover that this musician is bolder than anything else. The piano, upright bass, keys and guitar all come together in her arrangements that’ll make you feel like those sounds belong together. With lyrics that are so honest they catch your attention and quirky enough to keep it, Marlette’s soothing vocals over staccato chords go beyond the typical singer-songwriter experience.

Her EP, The Allumette, can be found on iTunes and a few new ones such as “Dandelion Waltz” can be heard on her MySpace. With tunes that sound as nice as her name rolls off your tongue, she’s bound to become the reigning queen of eccentric folk pop in today’s music scene. Catch a show with Molly and her band this coming Tuesday, August 26th at El Cid which starts at 8:00 pm. See her in person and you’ll discover her style is as unique as her music! - La.CityZine

Molly Marlette makes super lovable female folk pop. Each tune is super catchy. I was immediately smitten with “Sleep Must Heal The Heart”. What can I say? The song is totally adorable! Initially, I heard elements of modern baroque pop artists like The Postmarks blend with folk-y girl songwriters such as Laura Veirs, but there’s a lot more to Marlette than such a comparison warrants.

While my favorite is “Sleep Must Heal The Heart”, other tunes are just as powerful. “Over Reactions” and “How Does That Sound” are a bit more upbeat—a bit more awake, if you will. And then there’s the title track of her recent album, The Allumette. The tune has minimal instrumentation, allowing the listener to focus on Marlette’s vocals. - FensePost

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Molly Marlette opened the concert with well-crafted indie-folk-pop songs from her EP “The Allumette.” Her bluesy, folksy vocals were reminiscent of Sara Bareilles and Jenny Lewis, and her expressive lyrics transcended typical, sappy, bubblegum-pop lyrics. - Elaine Murphy - New University