Danceable Psychosis: James Marriott’s Burn Down The Disco - Single Review

Words: Sam Drake

CREDIT: Sam McMahon

James Marriott is cooking up a storm for his next album; following on from the success of his sophomore album, Don’t Tell The Dog, which reached the top of the UK charts last June (2025), Marriott released the single California Rain back in January and now he returns with his third album’s lead single, Burn Down The Disco.

I have to admit that I fell victim to the short form promotion of this single and had the earworm-chorus stuck in my head long before the song was actually released. Sometimes, this can be the downfall of a new release - you hear the best part over and over again, with an expectation of the rest of the song to live up to the part that is promoted relentlessly the month prior to release, then it falls flat when you have the full picture. Sometimes it can lead to a real let down. But I’m happy to report that is not the case!

Burn Down The Disco carries a chaotic, retro energy that feels like 2010s indie rock. It’s Two Door Cinema Club if they went just a little bit harder on the guitars and had more grit in the vocals - Evil Two Door Cinema Club, if you will. Thumping heartbeat drums, layered guitars and electronic undertones that set Marriott up there with the indie rock icons of that era.

It’s a catchy descent into obsessive psychosis starting at “I’m not myself” and ending with the chorus to drill home “I go insane for you” and “You are the fire to melt for”. There’s a steady calm in the verses that is complimented by the insistent danceable chorus and the two make for an incredibly fun look into how easily love and admiration can turn obsessive and compulsive.

If BDTD is anything to go by, JM3 is going to be one hell of an album!