By Colin 
Marianne Faithfull‘s final recordings will be released in Burning Moonlight, a four-track EP arriving in two stages. The limited-edition vinyl will be available for Record Store Day on 12 April, followed by a digital release on 6 June. Fans can stream or download the title track now.
Originally planned for an earlier release, the EP was postponed after Marianne’s passing on 30 January. Now, at her family’s request, DECCA Records is moving forward with the project to honour her remarkable career.
Her son Nicholas Dunbar shared the family’s decision: “As we grieve the loss of Marianne, we are pleased to announce the release of these songs, which she worked on during the year before her death. Marianne lived to create and perform music. It was her driving force, and she never stopped. Right up until the end, she was looking forward to this release, which now completes and celebrates her remarkable career.”
A Full-Circle Moment In Music
This EP marks a return to the sound that introduced Marianne to the world. In 1965, she made an unforgettable debut with Marianne Faithfull and Come My Way, released on the same day.
Executive producer Andrew Batt explains the concept behind Burning Moonlight: “It was so unusual to start a career this way, so we decided to bring the music full circle. One side of the EP draws from her pop debut, while the other revisits her folk roots.”
A Blend Of Past And Present
Side 1 captures the essence of Marianne’s ‘60s pop era. It begins with the title track, ‘Burning Moonlight’, a moving ballad about resilience and acceptance. The lyrics take inspiration from her breakthrough hit ‘As Tears Go By’ (“It is the evening of the day”). The second song, ‘Love Is’, brings an uplifting energy, co-written with her grandson Oscar Dunbar.
Side 2 shifts toward folk influences. ‘Three Kinsmen Bold’, a traditional song Marianne learned from her father Glynn Faithfull, reflects her early passion for storytelling. The EP closes with ‘She Moved Thru’ The Fair’, a track she performed throughout her career and first recorded in 1966.
Speaking about the project, Marianne said, “It’s a good time to look back. It helps me remember all the things I’ve done. I can’t say I’m a particularly nostalgic person, but I am enjoying this period of reflection.”
A Final Gift To Fans
The EP was produced by Head, alongside Rob Ellis, Oscar Dunbar and Andrew Batt, with artwork by Australian artist David Frazer.
Head, who first worked with Marianne on Before The Poison in 2004, reflected on their final collaboration: “I’m so happy we found a time when Marianne felt able to write and sing again. When she asked me to produce these songs, we knew her health made things difficult. But she never stopped pushing herself creatively.”
With Burning Moonlight, Marianne Faithfull leaves behind one final masterpiece. The title track is available now, with the full EP arriving in April and June.
Photo Credit: James Robjant