JAID RIVER Releases New Single | MARIONET

JAID RIVER Releases New Single  MARIONET

Afrikaans singer-songwriter JAID RIVER is back with her second single of 2025 – and this time it’s something truly special. Her new track, ‘MARIONET’, is not only a powerful and introspective release, but also the title track of her upcoming EP, which is set for release on 8 August 2025.

“Even though I know ‘Marionet’ is not a typical single, it was important to me to release it this way,” says JAID. “This song brought the EP together for me – it’s the heart of the entire project.”

MARIONET was written at the end of 2022 and performed live for the first time during JAID’s ‘Verlanger’ album launch in March 2023. The inspiration for the song came after JAID had a few conversations with different people who expressed feelings of dissatisfaction with their work and lives. She started reflecting on these conversations and found herself grappling with questions about freedom, choice, and the things we bind ourselves to as human beings.

“I had this image in my head of a marionette – a puppet tied to strings being pulled in different directions. The question that came to mind was: ‘Are we bound to what we’re bound to by default, or do we get to choose what we bind ourselves to?’ And if we can choose – what does that look like?”

According to JAID, recording MARIONET was her most challenging production and arrangement process to date. The song was restarted from scratch three times in different keys and styles, with each version sounding completely different. The final version was completed in May 2025 at Jaco Smit Music Studios in Midstream, Pretoria.

“I had a very specific feeling in mind – I wanted to capture tension, rigidity, and a touch of discomfort. The production had to fit the message of the song.”

What sets MARIONET apart from JAID’s previous work is her decision to step away from sophisticated electronic sounds and instead focus on acoustic instruments and fine details. “It’s much more stripped-down, organic, and honest than any of my previous singles. It’s also my first waltz,” she says with a smile.

Fans familiar with JAID’s work will once again recognise her signature lyrical style in MARIONET – honest, introspective, and rich in meaning.

“‘Marionet’ is one of my favorite musical arrangements to date,” says JAID. “I hope the story and lyrics resonate with people.”