Mariel Buckley Drops New Single “Swim Practice” & Announces Upcoming Album – Strange Trip Ahead
“Grief, loss, and liminal spaces” - Mariel Buckley about her upcoming album, Strange Trip Ahead.
Americana singer-songwriter Mariel Buckley shares her new single, “Swim Practice”, her second release of 2025. With this track, Mariel announces her upcoming album – Strange Trip Ahead, out October 17, 2025 via Birthday Cake Records. For this album, Buckley set her sights on Nashville, working with alt-Americana mastermind producer, Jarrad K (Ruston Kelly, Lucie Silvas, Fancy Hagood, Goo Goo Dolls) to bring the album to life. The nine songs explore the vulnerability of existing in the uncertain - within one’s life, relationships, and career. Mariel notes, “this album has some genre deviations with the signature "sad guy" sauce remaining true. I used to steal my older brother's CDs in the early 00's, and found myself pretty deep in the alt-rock of that era. In many ways, this album was my gateway drug to indie rock. Grief, loss, liminal spaces and of course, another song about doing it in the car.”
“Ultimately, this album is one about choices, and accepting the snack that falls when we push the button, I hope you find yourself somewhere in it. Hang on, buddy, the best is yet to come.”
“Swim Practice” finds Buckley venturing into new sonic ground, embracing an emotive indie-rock palette that leans away from her country and Americana roots. Co-written with Winnipeg artist Cassidy Mann, the song dives deep into themes of adolescent shame, secrecy, and queer longing. With swirling textures and a push-pull dynamic that mirrors the emotional turbulence of youth, Buckley crafts a visceral listening experience that feels like floating in uncertainty, suspended one moment, crashing the next.
Sonically, “Swim Practice” is moody, expressive, and intentionally fluid. Chorus-soaked guitars,
rippling percussion, and reverb-heavy layers create an atmosphere of both tension and release.
“When I wrote it, I knew it felt more pop/rock adjacent than anything else,” Buckley explains. “I
wanted the verses to feel like holding your breath underwater and the choruses to crash like
raging waves.” The result is confessional, seductive, and cinematic, like sneaking out for a
midnight swim. The track pushes Buckley’s sound into exciting new directions while remaining
rooted in her signature honesty and lyrical depth.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Aug 7 - Calgary AB
Aug 10 - Drumheller, AB
Sep 12 - Nashville, TN (Americanafest)
Sep 24 - Santa Fe, NM*
Sep 26 - Albuquerque, NM*
Sep 27 - Tucson, AZ*
Sep 28 - Pioneertown, CA*
Sep 30 - Costa Mesa, CA*
Oct 1 - Santa Barbara, CA*
Oct 3 - Felton, CA*
Oct 4 - Petaluma, CA*
Oct 5 - Arcata, CA*
*Supporting John Moreland
Tickets can be purchased here
More About Mariel Buckley
Unapologetically genuine, wry and soft-hearted, Mariel Buckley has planted her flag firmly as a songwriter who’s in it for the long haul. Never one for following the rules, she aims to find herself squarely on the fringes and exactly where she belongs: writing songs for the underdogs. Raised in the heart of Canada’s rodeo and country music scenes, she was destined to challenge the boundaries around her, both in life and in song. With a fearless spirit that’s consistently broken through both genre and personal barriers, Buckley’s unique blend of angst-driven alt-folk has made her a standout artist, offering a fresh and dynamic perspective on modern Americana music.
Buckley’s past albums, 2022’s Polaris Music Prize nominated Everywhere I Used To Be and 2018’s Driving In The Dark, have been praised by notable publications and recognized with prestigious accolades. Her work has also charted on Sirius XM, college and campus stations across North America, and on local Canadian favs CKUA and CBC radio. Buckley’s live journey has been a strong, steady climb. She’s toured across Canada, America and the EU/UK, as well as showcasing at SXSW, Americanafest, The Philadelphia Folk Fest, and Folk Alliance International. She’s shared stages with artists like Orville Peck, k.d. lang, The Bros Landreth and Frazey Ford, among many others.
Praise for “Vending Machines”
""Vending Machines" is about trying to move forward when nothing feels certain, delivered with Buckley’s trademark mix of raw emotion and sharp storytelling. Opening with a slow, steady drumbeat and magnetising guitar hook, the track is simple but unforgettable. There’s a stripped-back honesty to it, with no frills or flash, just Buckley and her band delivering something that feels lived-in and true." - Line of Best Fit
"Featuring jangly acoustics, a driving backbeat, and pedal steel hooks that pull like gravity, Buckley perfectly captures that feeling of being caught in the revolving door of life." - Earmilk
"It’s the country of gravel shoulders and empty corners, of what happens after the work whistle stops and the heart keeps punching in." - Chalked Up
MARIEL BUCKLEY ONLINE
