W: Mandy Morgan
Queer Canadian-French alt-pop artist Maryze makes a dramatic entrance into the UK music scene today, Thursday, October 22nd, with their highly anticipated debut single, ‘False Icon’, released via Hot Tramp Distribution.
This electrifying track is a synth-soaked, cinematic critique of celebrity culture, fusing the 80s grandeur of synth-pop—evoking the drama of Eurythmics and the early echoes of Lady Gaga—with the campy grotesque of cult body-horror cinema. This unique aesthetic is immediately reflected in the single’s striking polaroid artwork, shot by Italian director Andrea Calvetti.
Inspired partly by the 1986 film Society, ‘False Icon’ offers a glittering yet scathing takedown of Hollywood’s two-faced sirens. The track, co-written by Maryze and producer Skyler Cocco, cuts through the glamour and illusion of a con artist worshipped by the masses.
It’s an exposé of the toxic culture of celebrity idolatry, all while acknowledging the magnetic, seductive pull of that very shine. For Maryze, who has lived through the industry's seduction and seen its deception, the track serves as both a critique and a confession.
Maryze explained the song's genesis: "When I moved to Los Angeles, I noticed some artists surrounding themselves with fans rather than friends, using people for clout under the guise of community. That’s where the lyric ‘Your friends, your fans, your captives’ came from. Skyler and I commiserated over having noticed this same trend, and wrote the track to call out manipulators in the industry who create the illusion of connection to lift themselves up without regard for those around them."
They further elaborated on the track's visual concept: "We drew from the drama and camp of both 80s synthpop and body horror films of the era. In the visualizer, we built a character of this 'False Icon' (played by Sadie Scheufler) who lures people in with glamour, only to reveal the emptiness and ugliness beneath. She was terrifying on set.”
Maryze is currently cementing their reputation as a bold and boundary-pushing voice in alt-pop. Their stormy-sweet sound blends electronic beats with fiery, introspective bilingual lyrics.
The single release coincides with the artist's European Tour, which includes their first-ever UK dates, highlighted by a show at London’s 229 Club on October 25th.
Prior to this debut, Maryze toured Australia and New Zealand with Alex Cameron in 2024 and went viral with their single Langue. In 2025, they spent time in Los Angeles artist residencies, including the prestigious SOCAN House, released their album Versed, performed at SXSW, and opened for acts including Boy Harsher, Princess Superstar, and Desire.
With ‘False Icon’, Maryze firmly establishes a dynamic and challenging voice in the global alt-pop landscape.