When Marathon 2023 emerged on the scene of the now abundant post-punk revival with their eponymous debut EP, the trio were by no means total newcomers. Kay Koopmans, Lennart van Hulst and Nina Lijzenga had been playing gigs, acquiring dark rings under their eyes and breathing the fumes of the Amsterdam underground for a few years. As befits the new twenties. Although their stylistic hybrid of post-punk, shoegaze and indie has a gloomy undertone, the odes to post-modern times of frustration are constantly transformed into hopeful opportunities for new beginnings. Perhaps this is also down to the fact that all the material was created in the light-drenched meadows of Friesland in the summer of 2022. This duality of light and dark is the great strength of Marathon's sound, which centres on the tormented present, but at the same time looks to the future with a benevolent nod. A great listen for fans of Whispering Sons, Gilla Band or Sweeping Promises.