The keen reader might remember Italian prog rock outfit Mardi Gras from a feature we published in late ‘25, celebrating ‘Sandcastle’ as “grandiose and cinematic symphonic rock, often marked by a keen melancholic charge”. We stand by our words: the whole album felt hypnotic and electrifying, a striking example of the sort of cinematic-coded artistry Mardi Gras have to offer. Despite dating back to 2024, the album still has a lot to give, so much so that the group has unveiled a wonderful video for ‘Lia’s Theme’, one of the standout pieces in ‘Sandcastle’.
Compared to more orchestral offerings (the likes of ‘Don’t Touch The Sinner’ come to mind), ‘Lia’s Theme’ embraces a more hazy and dreamy direction, with spacious guitar tones and ethereal keys providing a laidback soundscape for Liina Rätsep’s luscious, evocative vocals. Her malleable and precise melodism is the perfect match for Mardi Gras’ visionary imagery, especially when it comes to long, sustained notes and poignant delivery.
From a lyrical standpoint, ‘Lia’s Theme’ further advances the conceptual nature that propels ‘Sandcastle’. There’s a whole storyline that gets woven throughout the album. As we are told: “‘Lia’s Theme’ is the moment where Cecilia is in a limbo between life and death, addressing Sebastian as the Liar, revealing his true nature.” Overall, the album is “based on a story about a brother and sister who lead a hard life in Jersey City in the ‘80s.”
Discover ‘Lia’s Theme’ now: