Wilder Music

By Maddie C.

After its first debut on tour in Dallas, Texas, James Marriott has finally dropped his long-awaited single ‘California Rain’. Fans quickly fell in love with the track following the live recording’s release on SoundCloud in late October, with many eagerly awaiting an official release. The Swiss-born, Brighton-based indie-rock artist provides a beautifully warm piece of sentimental songwriting that focuses on imposter syndrome, culture shock, and the revelation of blowing up in the music scene. Seen through the lens of his latest large-scale tour following the success of his no.1 album Don’t Tell The Dog, Marriott delivers a hauntingly honest portrayal of the life of a musician. 

Marriott’s indie-pop influences shine through in the song’s leading guitar lines and upbeat rhythm, setting the tone of equal parts melancholy and optimism. The YouTuber turned musician perfectly blends reflection with optimism, skilfully ensuring it never overpowers the emotion and vulnerability at the core of the track.

Lyrically, the song feels like an emotional release. Marriott is vulnerable as he reflects on personal development and self-doubt, the references to California and rain both invoke culture shock and homesickness as he navigates his North American tour. Lyrics such as ‘There’s no clouds in California, and I can’t wait to hear the rain’, ‘I’m not the same as yesterday, yesterday, yesterday’, and ‘You’re right, I’m not cut out for the big time’, reveal an artist who is deeply honest and vulnerable, one who is grappling with the weight of change, insecurity, and imposter syndrome, as he grows and reaches wider audiences. ‘The rain won’t stop me now’ serves as a quiet turning point in this, signifying resilience and a determination to keep pursuing what he loves in spite of the doubt. It’s reflective without being self-pitying, and honest without losing its poetic edge.

Ultimately, ‘California Rain’ feels like a natural development of Marriott’s artistry – more thoughtful, knowledgeable, and genuinely human. Whilst having his first ever charting single (hitting no.22 on the UK Official Singles Charts) and becoming viral on TikTok surely wasn’t on James Marriott’s bucket list this year, it’s clear that both he and his fans have a big year ahead.