Queer Canadian-French alt-pop artist Maryze will release their debut UK single False Icon on Thursday 22 October. The track, produced by Skyler Cocco, combines the atmosphere of 1980s synthpop with darker experimental elements. Its sound carries echoes of Eurythmics and early Lady Gaga, paired with visual and thematic influences from cult body-horror cinema. The single’s artwork, shot on Polaroid by Italian director Andrea Calvetti, reflects this aesthetic.
Inspired in part by the 1986 film Society, False Icon takes aim at celebrity worship and the performative nature of fame. Its lyrics examine the surface-level illusion often found within the entertainment industry and the transactional relationships that fuel it. While critical, the song also acknowledges the appeal and power that fame continues to hold.
Maryze explains:
“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 is where the lyric ‘Your friends, your fans, your captives’ came from. Skyler and I had both seen this same trend. We 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. We drew from the drama and camp of 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.”
False Icon arrives alongside the start of Maryze’s European tour, which includes their first UK shows in London. They will perform at The Waiting Room on 20 October and the 229 Club on 25 October.
Maryze’s alt-pop style blends electronic production with reflective bilingual songwriting in English and French. After touring Australia and New Zealand with Alex Cameron in 2024 and gaining viral traction with the single Langue, Maryze spent much of 2025 in Los Angeles at artist residencies including SOCAN House. Their recent releases include the EP Versed, and they have appeared at SXSW and supported artists such as Boy Harsher, Princess Superstar and Desire.
London Tickets:
The Waiting Room, 20 October: https://dice.fm/event/nv8d33-laptop-maryze-room-service-20th-oct-the-waiting-room-london-tickets
229 Club, 25 October: https://link.dice.fm/F8abcd711eb7
Pre-save False Icon: https://hypeddit.com/z92aqg
