tbird puts a new spin on an old classic with his single Mariana (All For The Thrill) [feat. Rico Franchi] — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The first of a series of collaborations with tbird’s musician and songwriter friends, Mariana (All For The Thrill) finds the Scottish producer and multi-instrumentalist (real name: Tommy Phillips) teaming up with renowned vocalist Franchi to reimagine a classic from tbird‘s fellow Glaswegian surf-rockers The Imagineers.
With their approval, tbird envisioned Mariana hook in a new light, piecing together an electronica-inspired instrumental to complement Rico’s soaring vocal lines. Crisp drum machines and deep synth bass juxtapose nicely with thoughtful synth pads and reflective picked guitar in the pre-chorus.
The instrumental nods to tropical, Latin, and even reggaeton influences but without making them the centre of attention. Themes of an elusive romance and the excitement of nightlife in a foreign city are at the fore.
Rico’s punchy and effortless vocal sits in the mix with ease, underpinned in the choruses with subtle vocoding. The finale sees the most marked change to the vocal arrangement and melodies from the original song; reflective at first but then building towards an energetic climax. The track was produced and mixed in Tommy’s home studio in Glasgow, then mastered by Stuart Hawkes at Metropolis Studios in London.
Check out Mariana (All For The Thrill) [feat. Rico Franchi] above and below, follow tbird on Instagram and TikTok, and follow Rico Franchi on Instagram and TikTok.
