Sufjan Stevens and Phoebe Bridgers fans, Meet Eszter Max on “Mandarins”
A chilling vocal performance and atmospheric presence, Eszter Max’s “Mandarins” gets to you the way that a slow, creeping heartache does — the heartache that begs burning questions, withholding only in the earnest desire to avoid burning those near to the answers.
Having been inspired by the ’80s classic, “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You” by Heart, Eszter Max’s “Mandarins” tells a story from the eyes of a recovering millennial people-pleaser reflecting on the dawning age of fertility.
Eszter’s longing weaves its way to highlight its contradictions and open wounds in ways that Phoebe Bridgers fans would recognize in an instant. The introduction to this song is a gently warming and distant point just barely ahead of you, growing ever closer with ambient swells beneath gentle plucks that double as heartstrings, too. Like a flickering candle just ahead of you,
With references to Sufjan Stevens songs, imagery of citrus, and a hopeful peek into a future by the firepit, “Mandarins” is a yearning reach to connect with another’s lips, to another’s honest heart through a vulnerable refrain:
“Is this what you really want?
Is this what you really want?
Is this what’s best for everyone?”
Eszter Max’s “Mandarins” is one of many tracks she’s released that exemplify a uniquely moving touch of indie folk and tide pools of an ardently loving heart.
Listen to “Mandarins” by Eszter Max
Written by Samson Winsor
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Rock the Pigeon is an independent music and culture blog dedicated to uplifting emerging artists, spotlighting underrepresented voices, and sharing fresh sounds across genres. Since 2012, we’ve been celebrating creativity, authenticity, and the stories behind the songs.
