Laura Mustard – Salty Sea (2026)
With her single ‘Hibernation’, singer-songwriter Laura Mustard takes a look at Valentine’s Day, and instead of writing a sappy song about how much you adore your new love, Mustard went anti-lovey-dovey with her first murder ballad song, ‘Salty Sea’.
When I think of a murder ballad, my mind heads back to Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue’s ‘Where The Wild Roses Grow’. It’s dark, intense, and a wonderfully decadent sweep of rock – Cave’s deep vocals binding with Minogue’s pop tones. ‘Salty Sea’ takes murder in a new direction, clasping at old-school folk tones laced with cello, standup bass, accordion, and banjo alongside the drums and percussion. Produced by Nolan Sorsby, Mustard shares that “Nolan’s imagination and production made this song so different from anything else I’ve ever released”.
Retaining the almost Carole King-like sound and vibes of ‘Hibernation’, ‘Salty Sea’ is toe-tapping with Mustard’s banjo in the background, warmth oozing with each strum. Yet, while the track opens with the comfort of a light-hearted single, it quickly earns the darkness of Nick Cave without his distinctive baritone. In a cinematic wave of sound, Sorsby showcases his innovation and creativity, binding strings with steady drums, light percussion and the ever-present banjo to create a song that is more sensation than sound.
“‘Salty Sea’ was actually my reaction to the original The Little Mermaid story by Hans Christian Anderson, which has a much darker ending than the Disney versions. In the original story, the mermaid experiences excruciating pain and sacrifices herself while the prince ends up with another woman. It just felt emblematic of the exploitation and sacrifice that women endure in our society, so I wrote my own song from the perspective of a siren who is out for revenge!” – Laura Mustard on ‘Salty Sea’
One aspect I find intriguing is how the progression from chilled out folk to emphatic, cinematic, ethereal expression fantastically captures the raw angst, anger and vengeance of the feminine rage. Meghan Pulles’ operatic solo enhances the effect of the melody with her soprano representing the siren’s luring cry. It’s chilling and turns your bones cold while sending shivers along your skin and a breath-taking “holy, hell” gasp.
Find out more about Laura Mustard on her official website, Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
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