Awkward by Marmalade

Awkward explores the morning-after realisation and the emotional battle that comes with caring about others' perceptions of you.

The song was inspired by an uncomfortable one-night stand experience, where you think someone is cool, go home with them, and then realise they're not what you expected and you don’t connect like you thought you would. It captures the thought process of someone who’s caught in this realisation, wishing they could escape without hurting the other person.

With a playful and ironic tone, Awkward presents a universal experience. It’s not just about a romantic one-night stand; it's about the broader feeling of meeting someone who initially seems cool, but as you get to know them, you realise you don’t really get along—even when the people around you, like the character's parent in this case, think they’re wonderful.

Tāmaki Makaurau-based five-piece Marmalade are a group of friends that write music in their living room. Swinging somewhere between clean-pop and indie-rock, Marmalade’s soaring female vocals and honest lyricism float above a steady musical backbone to create a juicy jar full of sounds.