“Love Letter to Democracy – January 2021” by Marvin Etzioni

When you’ve been in this game for over thirty years, you learn a lot about the music industry, the people who make it their career and the fans who keep it alive from one year to the next. Marvin Etzioni brings a wealth of wisdom into the studio whenever he records for the very fact that he’s seen just about everything since his scene’s height back in the 1980’s, and his new single “Love Letter to Democracy – January 2021” is an embodiment of his experience. While it might be true that a lot of singer/songwriters are addressing modern politics right now, not many are doing it with the sensitive-smart approach this icon is in his latest release. 

The impressive compositional integrity to this piece alone should indicate to newbies just discovering the Etzioni sound just how long he’s been around and making quality music, and I don’t think you need to listen very closely to appreciate “Love Letter to Democracy – January 2021” for all that it has to offer. There’s a Lennon-esque ghostliness to the harmonies that stays with us long after the music has come to a conclusion, and the stealthy stacking of the instrumental elements nor the subject of the lyrics are the main source for all the chills. 

The music video for this song is essentially an extension of the track’s structural genius as imagined with a collage imagery influence – although, I should note that the experimental edge starts and ends with the visual component of this piece. The melodies and the actual substance of the material is rather conventional in nature, on par with what Etzioni has recorded throughout his career. What’s far from typical in this single is the message it seeks to spread, which is one of much greater importance than any pop hook could possess. 

Pop’s one and only “Mandolin Man” has made some magic once again with the release of “Love Letter to Democracy – January 2021,” and whether you’re a fan of his older work or are a newer disciple of his wits, I think Marvin Etzioni is going to leave a lot of listeners pleased this later winter season. Etzioni portrays the conscientious singer/songwriter quite convincingly in this track, and no matter what the future holds for his music following its release, something tells me this won’t be the last of his opinions to garner spotlight from the indie press.  

Mindy McCall