Somerset’s acclaimed duo Ma Polaine’s Great Decline return with their highly anticipated fifth studio album, Monster Swan, set for release on 20th February. Known for their distinctive fusion of pop, folk, blues, and Americana, the new record explores themes of social commentary, cautionary tales, and the shifting tides of love — both its beauty and its heartbreak.
As a second glimpse of the album, Ma Polaine’s Great Decline release ‘Told You Lately’ – a love song about telling someone how much they mean to you whilst being their most bluesy song to date. Speaking of the new single they say, “It’s about the people who matter most, and making sure they actually know it.”
Praised by MOJO for their “unique blend of pop, folk, blues and Americana,” Ma Polaine’s Great Decline create music that feels both timeless and inventive. With airplay on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2, and strong support from Cerys Matthews, the duo’s genre-defying sound captures the complexity of human connection, weaving tales of light and dark through soulful melodies and poignant storytelling.
At the heart of their sound is Beth’s effortlessly distinctive voice and evocative lyrics, paired with Clinton’s understated guitar work. Both grew up immersed in jazz, blues, and soul, using those roots to craft music that is unmistakably their own; intimate yet cinematic, tender yet defiant.
Over the years, Ma Polaine’s Great Decline have released four albums and five EPs, including 2020’s City of Love, which earned them Fatea Magazine’s Best Band/Duo award and a 4-star MOJO review. They were also due to perform live on BBC Radio 2 for Cerys Matthews before lockdown brought the world to a standstill, a moment that ultimately deepened their creative resolve.
Beth’s songwriting roots trace back to her childhood in Cornwall, where she began performing folk songs by Brenda Wootton before discovering the voices of Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Kate Bush through her father’s record collection. Clinton’s musical upbringing was steeped in London’s jazz and blues scene, catching Muddy Waters as a child and jazz legends at Ronnie Scott’s as a teen. Together, their influences merge into a sound that defies labels – part folk, part jazz, part country, and wholly theirs..
Artists’ website: https://www.facebook.com/mapolainesgreatdecline
‘Told You Lately’ – live:
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