Debut EP from Jake Marshall

Originally hailing from just outside Philadelphia and now based in Los Angeles, Jake Marshall is an exciting new artist in the world of indie pop. With a style he dubs “sad boy indie pop,” he stitches his songs with emotion and striking honesty, taking cues from artists like Elton John and Freddie Mercury alongside modern acts such as Glass Animals and BØRNS to explore themes of love, heartbreak and the queer experience from his own perspective.

A graduate of NYU Tisch, Jake brings a theatrical aesthetic to his musical output, pairing it with an incredible four-octave vocal range that makes his music truly expressive and unique. In August last year, he unveiled his original sound with his first single “bad singer,” which he’s since followed up with a string of further tracks.

Now he hits the ground running in 2025 with the release of his brand new debut EP titled Better Luck Next Time, a six-track release that marks a defining moment in Jake’s blossoming career. Bringing together elements of psychedelic pop, folk and synth pop and threaded with his storytelling flair, his catchy songwriting shines with an emotional impact, resulting in music that’s at once memorable and meaningful.

Kicked off with a remix version of “TOO MUCH!,” the EP starts with an uptempo synth pop sound where bouncy rhythms and bright synth instrumentation is met with Jake’s engaging vocal leads. Gliding above the shimmering arrangement, he spins catchy melodic lines, fluttering with intricate processing and layers to craft a playful and enjoyable jam from start to finish.

On “Lullabye,” Jake links up with Allexx Fé to serve up a charming indie jam where the two artists lay down silky vocal lines, trading verses and overlapping to form a delightful duet. Brimming with instantly memorable hooks and colourful instrumentation, it’s a real highlight on the EP. “San Francisco” follows with a folk-tinged vibe as Jake’s smooth vocals float above the warm backing of acoustic guitar strums, soft rhythmic pulses and dashes of spacey synth touches, resulting in an intimate and moving soundscape.

“Bad Singer (Acoustic Version)” offers a delicate take on his debut single where the gentle clap of percussion and graceful acoustic guitars frame Jake’s impassioned vocal performance. With “wasted,” he crafts a mellow alternative pop outing that wraps R&B-inflected writing in a dreamy setting, offering a stripped-back sound packed full of elegant melodies and atmospheric texture. Closing the EP with “Next Time,” Jake delivers a superb finale via a sensational indie pop outing built on grooving drums, slick ebb and flow, shifting rhythms and capped by his lively vocal performance carrying infectious melodic writing and relatable lyricism.

Listen to Better Luck Next Time below