Mae Martin is the kind of artist who makes effortless versatility look like a casual hobby. Whether they are crafting award-winning comedy-drama in Feel Good, navigating the tension of a Netflix thriller like Wayward, or holding court on Taskmaster, Martin possesses a magnetic sincerity that draws people in. Earlier this year, they turned that same focus toward a lifelong private passion: music. The result is 'I’m a TV', a ten-track debut released via Universal Music Canada that trades punchlines for poetry and irony for a refreshing, radical earnestness.
The album opens with 'Try Me', immediately establishing a landscape of breezy, ethereal indie pop. It’s a sound that feels both nostalgic and modern, echoing the layered arrangements of The Last Dinner Party or Arcade Fire, while maintaining a classic British sensibility reminiscent of The Beatles. However, beneath the light instrumentation—expertly polished by producers Jason Couse and Wes Marskell—lies a lyrical depth that functions as a sharp counterpoint.
A standout moment arrives with the hazy 'Big Bear', a track that captures the specific relief of a quiet getaway from the "rat race" of London. “Nobody knows I’m in Big Bear, nobody knows besides me / They all think I’m in London,” Martin sings, their vocals soft and airy against a backdrop of folk-tinged rock. It’s a song about the necessity of solitude, and even if its unresolved ending suggests a reluctant return to reality, it perfectly mirrors the cyclical nature of seeking escape.
Throughout the 31-minute runtime, Martin plays piano, guitar, harmonica, and bass, creating a "time capsule" of their life experiences. On Reddit, Martin shared that the record is deeply rooted in memory: “The whole album is very nostalgic to me. Garbage Strike is about the summer of 2003 in Toronto, and that’s an evocative one for me. Quiet Street was about a brief euphoric period of a relationship where peace seemed achievable…” This conversational intimacy makes the record feel like a late-night chat with an old friend.
While tracks like the haunting 'I Love You So Much' explore the desire to "throw a bomb into your life," the album concludes with the stripped-back 'People Get Back Up'. It’s a brave exploration of mental health that avoids being purely sombre, instead offering a grounded reflection on resilience. 'I’m a TV' may not be reinventing the indie genre, but it is an authentic, addictive extension of Martin’s creative voice—one that proves they are just as compelling behind a microphone as they are on a screen.
You can stream the full record above, and for more from Mae, be sure to connect on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
