“A Normal After This” - Marianne Engebretsen
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
As the leaves start to turn and the world settles into that strange, reflective space that autumn brings, Marianne Engebretsen arrives right on cue with “A Normal After This” — a gorgeous, raw, and emotionally charged song that feels like a deep breath after heartbreak.
There’s something instantly magnetic about this single. It’s organic in the truest sense — built from real instruments, lived emotion, and a pulse that feels human rather than programmed. Marianne captures the sense of being caught between two lives: one you’ve left behind, and one you’re still figuring out how to live. Having recently moved from the city to the countryside, her lyrics carry that bittersweet in-between energy — the quiet after chaos, the ache of letting go, the hope that something new might just grow in the empty space left behind.
“I never imagined that breaking up in adulthood could feel so defining,” she says — and that honesty bleeds through every note. Her voice, soft but resolute, carries both pain and clarity. You can hear the processing happening in real time — the cracks and strength coexisting. It’s the kind of vocal performance that doesn’t need to shout to make you feel something; it whispers and you lean in.
Musically, “A Normal After This” is beautifully balanced. There’s a gentle drive to the rhythm — something steady that keeps the song moving forward even when the emotion threatens to pull it apart. Co-produced with Thomas Engebretsen, the track blends Marianne’s signature layered harmonies with a slightly grittier edge. The guitars are warm and textural, the percussion understated but insistent, and the whole arrangement feels like it’s breathing — expanding and contracting with the weight of its emotions.
There’s a rawness here that feels new for Marianne. Where her earlier records, Redefined and Something New, showcased polished indie-pop craftsmanship and evocative songwriting, “A Normal After This” feels more stripped-down and vulnerable — as if she’s peeled back the production gloss to let the real pulse of her artistry show through. It’s still melodically rich and beautifully arranged, but there’s a wild, human texture to it that feels like standing outside in the wind — alive, uncertain, and completely present.
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
It’s also worth noting that this is Marianne’s first release on her own label, marking a new phase of independence and self-determination in her career. You can feel that freedom in the music — a creative confidence that says, I know who I am now, even if I’m still rebuilding.
If autumn had a soundtrack, this would be on it. “A Normal After This” captures the essence of change — the ache of what’s lost, the beauty of what remains, and the tentative hope for what’s next. It’s the sound of starting over — of finding your footing again after the storm.
Marianne Engebretsen has always been a captivating songwriter, but this track proves she’s entering a new era — one that’s braver, more personal, and full of quiet power. “A Normal After This” isn’t just a song — it’s a reminder that even after everything falls apart, there’s always a new kind of normal waiting to be built.
“A Normal After This” is available now on all major streaming platforms
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