Experimental UK punk outfit Maruja have released their new single “Look Down On Us,” a furious cry against the impact of late-stage capitalism and the wealth of the one percent on global society. This is protest music at its most potent. Thought-provoking and intensely cathartic, it’s both a call for change and a fitting introduction to upcoming album, Pain to Power’s sweeping message of solidarity.
Their highly anticipated debut album Pain to Power, is due for release on September 12, 2025 via Music For Nations and produced by Samuel W Jones, whom the band worked with on their three EPs to-date. The project not only confirms the four-piece as a shape-shifting force of nature but finds a deeply emotional and empathetic band motivated by the power of community – both in the nuclear sense as a tight-knit creative unit, but also as a wider force for social and political change.
“’Look Down On Us’ is a reflection of the times we live in,” says frontman Harry Wilkinson of the song. “The first half of the song paints a grotesque and vivid picture of the super wealthy, and the impact they have on our culture. The second half is about the need to come together in solidarity and embrace love as a wider community, especially in times of oppression. The song ends full circle, arching back to where it began as a reminder to the listener of the struggle from which it came, and the struggle that still remains.”
The frenetic new track arrives today with a ten-minute music video; a striking visual that starts with the band performing against a backdrop of expressive brushstrokes taken from Pain to Power’s official artwork before segueing into a section of contemporary dance as the song mutates into transcendent jazz.
Comprised of Harry Wilkinson (vocals/guitar), Joseph Carroll (sax), Matt Buonaccorsi (bass) and Jacob Hayes (drums), Maruja believe in the ability of art to empower, heal and unite. With Pain to Power, they’ve created a project intended to galvanize strength and offer a cathartic release to anyone struggling with the impact of years of political turmoil and social isolation.
