Mariae Cassandra finds her first love and discovers the world on “The City”
At the young age of 18, Mariae Cassandra is quickly making a name for herself in Australia’s alternative pop music scene, showcasing her talent for translating emotional experiences into expansive sensations. “I aimed to construct a world of fantasy where I could give a voice to the narrative I wished to hear and embody a persona that I believed was absent within my generation,” she explains. “I did my utmost to become the person I always longed to witness on a stage.”
In her debut EP “Everything In My Backpocket”, Cassandra presents “The City” as the standout track, showcasing a departure from her usual intimate bedroom pop sound to something more luminous that encapsulates the moment life unfolds for the first time. The song captures the adrenaline-pumping excitement of first love and how it has the power to infuse even the most mundane places with a sense of magic. In the chorus, Cassandra expresses this feeling: “I’m not scared to face mortality / Such is the effect of the city / on me.”
The genesis of the track occurred when Cassandra found herself falling in love for the first time, which led her to experience something exhilaratingly new. “I used to despise going out, I detested it,” she admits. “I was a recluse who simply wanted to remain at home and focus on my hobbies and passions. However, when this individual came into my life, I saw the world beyond my bedroom. I just had to immortalize that feeling in a song.”
“The City” captures this revelation through effervescent alternative pop, blending Cassandra’s signature delicate vocals with edgy guitars and a vibrant pop-rock vibe reminiscent of artists like beabadoobee and Hayley Williams, as well as early 2000s television soundtracks. It evokes the kind of song that would provide the background music when characters from “The OC” gather at The Bait Shop to enjoy live music or when Rory from “Gilmore Girls” strolls through Stars Hollow.
This track stands out as one of Cassandra’s most extroverted releases, catering to introverts who are still finding their footing or who reminisce about the exhilaration of adolescence. The EP represents a departure in Cassandra’s songwriting style, transitioning from the emotional turbulence of teenage years, exploring themes of grief, heartbreak, friendship, and first love. “I am unapologetically authentic in my work,” she affirms. “I draw inspiration from my favorite alt-pop and indie artists, as well as the music from the 90s and 2000s that my parents used to play in the car.”
Despite her self-proclaimed introversion, Cassandra’s creative journey was not a solitary one. Supported by her substantial online following on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Cassandra’s creative process remains deeply collaborative. The EP was crafted in the company of family and close friends, transforming a school practice room into a communal creative space with her father on drums, uncles on bass and guitar, and two friends on lead and rhythm guitar. “I am immensely grateful for their contribution,” she acknowledges. “Music has a unique ability to bring people together, regardless of age or background.”
“Everything In My Backpocket” serves as a nostalgic reflection on memories spanning from age 15 to the present day, akin to discovering forgotten fragments of the past while sifting through old jeans. “The City,” one of the closing tracks on the EP, captures a rare and untroubled moment of happiness immortalized through music. “I recall composing it during a moment of sheer joy when nothing could diminish my smile. I wanted to preserve that feeling forever.”
Mariae Cassandra plans to bring her music on the road, embarking on her inaugural headlining tour in 2026, with a performance scheduled at The Grace in London. This tour serves as a timeless snapshot of coming-of-age experiences, teeming with sincerity and brimming with possibilities from an artist who is already shaping her next creative chapter.