Some albums are about the music, some albums are about the journey, but Marilyn Hucek’s self-titled debut album truly is about both. You know how picky I can get when it comes to pop, but this one definitely deserves the ride.
Eight tracks that will take you through a deeply personal story of resilience, love and self-discovery. A narrative that will push you forward, but not in the way that you might anticipate, for those songs do more than just play – they remember, they breathe, they heal.
It’s the sound of someone moving forward through life between hopes and dreams and all the hiccups and bruises on the road.
“I spent time in both Nashville and LA during the year-long process of writing this album,” Marilyn said. “Each song captures where I was emotionally, so the shifts in tone really mirror my own growth and healing through that time.”
And you can feel that – turning every detour into a song.
The album opens with I made it, an upbeat, confident tune laced with fun pop hooks that won’t fail to make you smile. The kind of song that feels like that irresistible freedom of jumping in your car and driving toward a brighter future, full-on optimism, and a sweetness that feels like sunshine. It’s not that overly sweet bubblegum pop, though – yuck – it’s pop with calloused hands and a hopeful grin.
Next is Naked – groovy drums and that enticing rhythm that will get you through the motions. Another seemingly lighter song, but don’t let it fool you though – for underneath those layers of cheerful vibes, it’s all about trust and emotional exposure and the kind of vulnerability that you need to make a song work. Yes, it’s soft but also strong, and that instrumental bridge alone will carry you through. ‘You make it alright,’ she sings, and you believe her.
We’re instantly pulled somewhere deeper with Love to hate you. Like a sticky heartbreak wrapped in a rhythm and a duality trying its best to fight off the pain. Marilyn taps into those obsessive thoughts that make it all the more relatable. ‘I love to hate you’ she confesses over and over like a mantra – and suddenly we’re right there with her in that push and pull. It’s raw. It’s honest. It’s a lot, honestly, so be thankful for that guitar bringing in a little solace before allowing the ache to return in the outro.
Then comes Pressure Makes Diamonds, like a quiet revelation. « It’s about enduring love amidst societal expectations, » she says. And it shows. It’s not your typical Netflix romance, nor the kind shaped by the judgement of others on how you should live your life. It’s about a reality we can all relate to – a gentle love song that highlights what love is really about: connection over expectations and enduring through them.
By the time Rebound rolls in, the energy shifts. It’s playful and confident, almost treading into pop-rock territory. Another slice of life, and the journey continues. But beneath the fun, there’s self-awareness and that voice in your head making sure you’re aware of the truths and tricks behind rekindling an old flame.
It’s no longer time to play with To be or not to be that strips things back again. Vulnerable. Bittersweet. Sentiments that never fall into sentimentality and the kind of track that sneaks up on you. Another one that tackles the societal expectations of womanhood. Definitely a song you’ll want to sit with and take the time to reflect about all those truths you’ll eventually be faced with in its company.
Then comes Me salvaste el alma, and wow, I wasn’t ready for this. The warmth hits instantly. Sung in Spanish, it’s a nod to her Chilean heritage, and her multicultural identity shining through on this one really hit true with me. “My mom raised us deeply connected to her culture,” she explained. “Even though I was born in the States, that side of me has always been present. ‘Me Salvaste el Alma’ was a really special way to honor that part of who I am.” An intimate song that gives the album yet another very personal touch and proving my forever point that you don’t need to understand all the words to feel a song resonate in your soul.
And then there was Neil Young.
The closer.
The heart.
The one that you weren’t expecting and that will break you open quietly.
This song, written for Marilyn’s late father, who battled Alzheimer’s disease, truly floored me on first listen and stayed with me long after. Beautifully written and with such sincerity, I had to ask Marilyn more about it, especially its placement on the tracklist.
“It was absolutely a conscious choice to close with it,” Marilyn said. “My late dad’s battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s had a profound impact on me… He’s the reason I found the courage to follow my passion.”
That line alone carries the whole album’s purpose: resilience through love. A song that is so genuine and real that it feels like an anchor through every other storm life can bring – and every other song on the album. And it’s more than that. It’s also a hand reached to those who need it.
“It was hard for me to find artists who were openly talking about Alzheimer’s, which is one of the reasons I felt so strongly about sharing my story. I wanted people going through something similar to know they’re not alone and that there’s strength in being vulnerable.”
Her voice trembles, but never falters. “I wanted it to linger,” she adds, “and hopefully help people understand Alzheimer’s on a more human, emotional level.”
Well, mission accomplished. It lingers. Hard.
By the time the music stops, you realise that MARILYN isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s life itself lived out loud and the unravelling of experiences that paved the way. Every lyric, every note, every sentiment behind it all carries genuine feelings we’ve all felt or will eventually.
Told you I get picky with pop, and that’s the kind I love, the one that actually reminds you to feel. Raw, real, honest and profoundly human.
The production all around is pristine, but Marilyn’s emotional depth cuts through it all nonetheless. The result is music that reaches you and stays. Like a shared experience – it’s healing.
And that is, in her own words, the whole point:
“Songwriting is my therapy. It’s how I process adversity, feelings, and emotions that I might otherwise keep locked away in my head and body. Writing allows me to turn pain into something beautiful, something that can hopefully help others heal too.”
A journey of resilience turned into melodies, of grief turned into grace and love turned into strength. This album will leave you a little changed, a little comforted and maybe even a little braver.
I asked Marilyn if there was a specific message or feeling she wanted to leave her audience with when listening to this record, and her answer makes all the sense after finishing that album:
“I want listeners to feel less alone, to feel seen, understood, and connected. The album explores a spectrum of emotions and experiences that have shaped my journey through womanhood. In a time where AI and technology are playing a bigger role in our lives, I think it’s more important than ever to share something that feels real, raw, and human. That’s what I hope people take away from MARILYN, that honest, emotional connection. “
Sometimes it’s about the music.
Sometimes it’s about the journey.
And sometimes, when you’re extra lucky, it’s about an album that will stay with you long after the music stops.
MARILYN is out today on all streaming platforms.
