Mariae Cassandra: The making of a modern teen rockstar with 'Everything In My Backpocket'

blondevibrations
8 minutes ago
4 min read

At just 18, armed with an electric guitar and a head full of big ideas, Mariae Cassandra has found the perfect outlet to channel the highs, lows, and chaos of teenage life. She embodies the complete superstar package in this magnetic project. Her new EP, 'Everything In My Backpocket', is a bold statement from an artist who is already writing her own rules to blend bleeding emotion you cannot help but relate to, with catchy, fearless hooks. It is a glimpse into the world Mariae has crafted where adolescence meets ambition, and every track feels like a diary entry set to anthemic soundscapes.

When ‘Love Vomit’ begins, we are putting on our fishnet tights, lacing up our Doc Martens, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. The opening track sets the tone immediately with punchy lyrics like‘I’m throwing myself at you / an addict to your love vomit.’ Mariae dives head first into the intoxicating, obsessive pull of infatuation that sneaks into your thoughts when you are trying to act normal around others, only to shatter your self-control the moment you get the chance. She captures the tension of craving someone who you know cannot be good for you, who never meets the expectations set by their own words, and yet you cannot help but keep coming back. It is a high-energy, unapologetic opener that throws you into the chaos of desire and surrender. The track, and the project as a whole, has a youthful recklessness, a confessional honesty that makes you want to scream the lyrics at the top of your lungs.

‘The City’ is a confessional exploration of emotions spilling over, impossible to contain. Everything worn on the sleeve throughout the song. Musically, it pairs crunchy pop-grunge instrumentation with sweet, innocent vocals, creating a tension between grit and vulnerability. There is a purity present in her voice that contrasts perfectly with the emotional depth of the lyrics, capturing the thrill of falling in love for the first time, of stepping out from the safety of the familiar into a world bigger and wilder than you could have ever imagined. 'The City' is about trust, the risk of an introvert venturing into an extrovert’s playground, testing boundaries, and finding exhilaration in the unknown. It explores the experience of opening your eyes beyond the four walls you have always known, letting yourself feel everything fully, and embracing the messy, beautiful chaos of new experiences with someone. Imagine it loud, windows down, driving through the streets in a final scene of a nostalgic 90s or early 2000s teen movie. It is cinematic in its energy, a soundtrack to fleeting youth, first love, and the bittersweet thrill of leaving the familiar behind.

‘The Pasta Song’ is about wanting something new but still being trapped by the ghosts of what came before. Mariae dives into that raw, restless space where you are ready to move on but the past refuses to let go. Even the tiniest memories hit like roadblocks, making it impossible to fully embrace someone new. Frustration is masked by the melancholy of memories, there is something so heartbreakingly real about a song that feels like yelling into the void of your own mind while trying to convince yourself that you are ready to let go. Whilst this may come across as a simple acoustic track, do not mistake this for a song simply about pasta, there is so much more beneath the surface.

Olivia Rodrigo fans, this one is for you! 'Theodore' ramps the energy back up with a rock-leaning edge, giving Mariae room to experiment with her expanding voice and sound, all while exploring a compelling song concept. The track is a one-sided conversation, giving, asking, and yearning with no return on the emotional investment. Through the lyrics, she speaks directly to Theodore, craving the kind of connection where someone is truly yours, where you are never alone. It speaks to the idea of their presence anchoring you through life’s ups and downs. There is anger yet sincerity, and a touch of despair in her vocals, the frustration of loneliness when there could be someone to share every struggle and triumph. Yet, despite the weight of the emotions, the song remains undeniably fun and angsty, capturing vulnerability, and restless energy of wanting something you have not naturally attained.

Mariae closes the EP with 'Better', an atmospheric and reflective track that brings together lush guitars and delicious drum beats, echoing the textures of the earlier songs while creating something hauntingly beautiful in its own right. The track is introspective and at times delicate, then giving way for her soaring choruses, showcasing Mariae at her most energetic. This closing track allows her to be fully in command of her voice. It balances emotion with polished production, capturing both fragility and strength in a way that lingers in those extended vocals. A collaboration with Nieve Ella, leaning into this same sound would be an effortless pairing that would elevate both artists’ voices beautifully.

Mariae Cassandra is truly a rising star that the magic of pop-rock flows through effortlessly. She has an incredible ability to capture the coming-of-age narrative, a collision of experience and fantasy, and translate it into music that feels both personal and universal. Her songs pinpoint transformative emotions and the subtle ways people shape who we are and how we live. Describing the EP as 'kind of like finding your old jeans, reaching into each pocket, and pulling out random little memories you forgot were there. It’s hectic, it’s messy, and somehow it makes sense without really trying to' perfectly encapsulates its essence. Every track draws from life in its full spectrum, which is a creative process Mariae began at just 15 years old. The EP has clearly grown with her, maturing as she does, while maintaining that vibrant energy. With a sound this elevated and a vision so distinct, it feels like a prophecy - Mariae Cassandra is clearly destined for remarkable things in the music scene.