Marianne Faithfull’s Posthmous Record Due Out April 12

The legendary English rock artist Marianne Faithfull is set to leave her mark once more on the music world with the release of a posthumous EP titled Burning Moonlight. Curated with care and released at the behest of her family, the EP is not only a testament to Faithfull’s artistic spirit but also a deeply personal homage to her career’s beginnings in the mid-1960s. Faithfull’s passing on January 30, 2025, at the age of 78, left a void in the music world. However, her music continues to forge connections and create lasting impressions even after her death.

This nostalgia-infused EP takes inspiration from Faithfull’s early records, marking a thoughtful reflection on her illustrious journey. Comprising four new songs, the EP, set for digital release on June 6, and a special edition for Record Store Day on April 12, offers a dual-sided experience. One side reflects Faithfull’s pop heritage, reminiscent of her self-titled debut album, while the other side honors the folk influences of her second album, Come My Way. Songs like “Burning Moonlight” and “Love Is” are crafted with contributions from close collaborators, including her grandson, Oscar Dunbar, adding layers of familial warmth and continuity to her storied legacy.

The track “Burning Moonlight” is poignant and resonant, capturing a raw and authentic reflection of Faithfull’s life and career. As the title track, it embodies her resilience, offering lyrics that speak of living on the edge and embracing life’s fiery challenges. The musical arrangement is stripped back yet powerful, featuring acoustic guitar strokes that echo her first single, “As Tears Go By,” composed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Executive producer Andrew Batt, along with collaborators Rob Ellis and Oscar Dunbar, have honored Faithfull’s vision by finalizing these songs. Faithfull’s long-time collaborator Head (Howard Bullivant) remarked on the joy of witnessing Marianne’s ability to write and sing once more, despite her declining health. Faithfull’s perseverance through adversity, especially after battling Covid-19 which severely impacted her voice, serves as a testament to her indomitable spirit and dedication to her craft.

Faithfull’s son, Nicholas Dunbar, encapsulates the family’s sentiments by emphasizing her relentless passion for music creation and performance, noting that music was her life’s driving force. The release of Burning Moonlight stands as a tribute to her remarkable career, celebrating not just her contributions to music but also her artistic resolve and the love that surrounded her life and work. Through this EP, fans old and new have the opportunity to experience the echo of a voice that remains as vibrant and meaningful today as it was in the heyday of the 1960s.