- A typically otherworldly fusion of Iranian music and post-punk from the inventive LA artist.
- Maral's last LP, Ground Groove, was searing and otherworldly, like every sound on the record had been left in the hot sun. Things are comparatively subdued on the Los Angeles artist's new single, "setar rock." Maral plucks out twangy melodies from the titular Iranian instrument, which squares off with blocky guitar chords and whisper-sung vocals over half-time drums. In the final 40 seconds, a jagged bassline wanders in, highlighting Maral's ever-present punk influences and her knack for unpredictable turns. But even in this wonky outro, "setar rock" swaps out the feistiness of Maral’s past work for a newfound sense of tranquility.