Fans of MARS have been long-awaiting the arrival of new music and this week, they've been rewarded.

After the stunning release of their debut album, Nuclear Fusion, back in 2018 which took the world by storm and earned them their first Grammy nominations—Best New Artist and Best Group/Duo Performance for their title track—MARS has been a staple amongst the top of the charts. Along with their success came a deluxe edition with four new songs that propelled them even further, and they have yet to find themselves coming back down to Earth since.

With their highly anticipated return, MARS brings along the likes of Maverick, a long-time friend of the group since working together on the soundtrack for Keira Lim's film Work, Wife, starring Maver Vincent and Nikita Wong. Eager fans will find this collaboration unsurprising as the group was spotted entering their favorite studio back in Los Angeles with the famous DJ earlier this year (along with a blonde woman who is definitely not his girlfriend *wink*). Maverick is still riding high off of his recent EP, Revive, which has received its own critical and commercial success—and lots of award talk already, though we're a little doubtful since The Recording Academy doesn't have a good track record of rewarding "smaller" efforts like EPs—but if you would like to see our full review on the EP click here.

The newest song from MARS feat. Maverick is called 'The L' and we've already got so many great things to say about it—along with literally everyone else on the planet but keep reading our review, thank you very much.

A clear nod to their contributions to Work, Wife, 'The L' has plenty of Chicago references, as well as a few unexpected (not so unexpected if you're familiar with Maverick's work). Opening with Maverick's smooth voice, catchy lyrics draw the listener in before transitioning to MARS' classic delivery of perfection. From lead singer Stevie's flawless voice—a strong and surprisingly good blend with her friend Maverick's—to the touching and meaningful lyrics. There's been no official word yet on an upcoming album which fans have been hounding for for the past (almost) four years, but this is another addition to a strong catalog of single releases from the Hawai'i-born band.

While it's still too early to predict award nominations, MARS are a fan favorite of the Recording Academy, and, well, dare we say the work they've done on 'The L' just might be worthy of a Grammy nomination for Best Group/Duo Performance.

Expect to see these two collaborating acts at the top of the charts for a long time. And, if the rest is anything like this new song, when MARS inevitably drops their sophomore album, start taking your bets for some big awards to follow. These five members are true artists in their own rights, and together, they're the brightest star in the solar system.

...

Seeing our music become a critical and commercial success will never feel normal.

And yet, here we are, starstruck at the sight of our own accomplishments. Not even a full week out from the release of The L and industry professionals are predicting a number one debut on the charts. Reactions on social media have been so colossal I haven't been able to keep my eye on all of it. Too much of a good thing can be overwhelming. While I appreciate the love the internet is showering us with for this single, I will explode under the weight of their compliments if I stare at them any longer.

I kick my feet against the floorboard of Jun's car, squealing like a child who's been told they're going to Disneyland for the first time.

"Should we pick up something to drink?" Jun asks, shooting a glance at the clock on his dash. "They gotta have something good out here."

I open the GPS on my phone to check how much longer before we arrive at Mick's loft and figure out there's a drive-thru coffee shop close enough that we can pick up coffee before a chill day of leisure with the sibling act.

"Yeah, let me text them and ask what their usual is."

After sending the text and waiting for their reply, I flick through my unread text messages. A few are from Maverick with links to reviews that have been published, both for The L and also for Revive, his newest EP that he dropped as a surprise midnight release after his New York show. Even a month after its release and he's still receiving praise from critics and fans, all of which are well deserved. The release of our new collab keeps his name trending while bringing us into the conversation once again. A little burst of pride expands inside my chest, giving me heart palpitations.

The sensation only grows when I click on Brendon's unread texts.

A few check-ups from training—he's in Italy for a race this weekend—but it's the video that catches my attention. A clip of Idris and Windsor mechanics in the garage dancing to The L before waving to the camera. Before I forget, and before my heart bursts out of my chest, I download the video and send Brendon a reply.

We pick up our drinks and drive to Mick's loft. After securing a parking spot on the street, Mick buzzes us up and we find our way to his apartment.

"Here's your...peppermint mocha," I say as soon as he opens the door. "Just a reminder it's March."

"Stop judging me."

Mick ushers us inside and locks the door behind him. On the floor sits Moxie on top of a large midnight blue rug with an acoustic guitar perched between her arms. She glances up at us as we walk over, and reaches to take the oat milk latte from me before I sit down.

"I think congrats are in order,." Her eyes flick between Jun and me. "And give Mav my best regards. That EP is—" She gestures a kiss with her fingers.

I laugh into my hot chocolate. "Will do."

I look down at the spread of notebooks and pencils with the ends chewed off. Scribbles spread across each piece of paper from end to end with melodies pulled straight from the creative minds of Mick & Moxie, and it's such a glorious spread I don't know what song to feast on first.

After grabbing a bowl of popcorn from the counter, Mick joins us, taking a seat on a plush bean bag. He pulls a remote from a coffee table so he can turn the air conditioning up.

"Not to pressure you or anything but we were working on this song and we're kind of stuck on something—" Mick tacks a smile on at the end of his sentence.

It's not like we have anything better to do. And while pressuring me into karaoke is off-limits, I'm more than willing to help contribute to a good songwriting session, especially with people whose music I admire.

I toss my jacket onto the sofa and pull the notebook Moxie hands me into my lap. They have the first verse with lyrics and chord progression and smudges from where previous chords have been erased, a clear sign they're not happy with the sound they're producing. I take a moment to look it over, making sure Jun can look over my shoulder and view it himself.

Hopped off the train last week
Looking for your face in the crowd
Remembered ghosts don't roam these streets
But it'd be nice if you were still around
Maybe if I'd been you and you'd been me
I'd learn to love it when I drowned
(learned to love it when I drowned)
(learned to love it when I drowned)

Forgot what it's like to sleep
Lost moments captured without sound
Buried me six miles deep
Can't find a way to dig myself out
But maybe that's the point of it
Deep breaths before the precipice
(deep breaths before the precipice)
(deep breath before the precipice)

"You're stuck? On this? But it's amazing."

Mick combs his fingers through his messy hair before gesturing for Jun to hand over the notebook. He reviews the song again before firing off a strained stare at his sister.

"Nothing is sounding quite...right," he explains.

Moxie chimes in. "Yeah, we kind of want it to be more haunting but not, like, depressing."

I nod. "Got it. Haunting but not depressing happens to be our specialty."

"I'm not saying we had ulterior motives inviting you over today but—"

Jun twists around and reaches for the guitar, likely the one Mick was using before he let us into the apartment. "Do you mind?"

"Help yourself."

While Jun keeps himself busy playing with chords and strumming patterns, I divert my attention back to Moxie. She's wearing a yellow leather jacket over a white t-shirt and white jean shorts with a red stripe running down the side à la Freddie Mercury. If there's anyone worth channeling during a writing session, it's him.

"I think can help to finish writing all of the lyrics first when the notes aren't coming to me. Feel like it gives me a better idea of the whole picture."

Moxie laughs, picking up the notebook and flipping through the pages. I can tell she likes to jot things down but not necessarily finish them. A bunch of half-written pages and lines crossed out.

"Yeah, I've always been terrible at that. I get too excited about finishing something. My head spins because I overthink everything. Do you do that sometimes, where you can't even let yourself finish a song before you're already wondering what you need to do to fix it and make it better?"

"What is that if not the only correct songwriting process?"

"Fair," she laughs.

Against a backdrop of potential melodies expertly provided by Jun and Mick, us ladies slink into the background as I flip through the notebook again which Moxie allows me to do with freedom. Either she's too trustworthy since a songwriter's notebook is their most vulnerable possession, or this one is used for less personal pieces. However, judging by the depth of lyrics from the song they're working on, I'm less likely to beat on the latter.

"Off the record," I flip to another page, "is something new on its way? I heard a rumor at our last recording session."

"You tell me your secrets and I'll tell you mine." She looks up grinning like the devil.

"I can tell you another single is getting dropped within the next month and a half."

"So soon? You're spoiling us."

"It's our pleasure." I peek over the brim of the notebook. "So?"

"Maverick's not the only one dropping an EP this year."

While I'm sure their fans, myself included, will be sad there isn't a full LP on its way, getting an EP this year is still as sweet to the ears. Their first and only album was released back in 2019, a year after ours, so it's been a long time coming.

"God, isn't it just a rush?" I rest my head against the sofa behind me, a soft emerald green velvet-covered cushion. "Seeing an album come together is just...pure adrenaline. And counting down those seconds until the rest of the world gets to hear it? I think it's the most vulnerable I've ever been in my life."

Moxie shifts in her seat so she can mirror my position, looking up as if staring at a sky full of stars. "I used to run track in high school, and I remember whenever I would get such a good runner's high I thought I could rule the world all by myself." She smiles through the shades of her memories. "It's the closest I've ever gotten to feeling like that again."

"I wish I could relate but you can't pay me enough to run so that I'll get a runner's high."

"It's an acquired habit," she muses. Something flashes in her eyes and before my brain registers what's happening, she pulls both of us to our feet and tugs us toward another section of the loft. "I completely forgot but I got you something."

"What?"

Mick yells at us to hurry back since they are finding a good rhythm.

We round a corner out of sight from the living room and end up by Mick's bed. Thrown across it are a purse and shopping bags, one of which Moxie picks up from where it's toppled over. She peeks into it before handing it to me.

Without looking inside the bag, I toss her a muddled expression. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"Consider it an early birthday present."

"My birthday isn't until August."

"A very early birthday present."

Looking inside the white bag with silver trim, I find more white inside surrounded by tissue paper—a box without branding. When I pull it out of the bag, I turn it over in my hands and run my fingers along the translucent silver design embossed in a pattern of swirls. Even after looking at it for a few seconds, I'm not able to tell where it's from.

"Does that make you a Leo?" Moxie asks while I open the box.

"Yes, but don't ask me what that means because I don't know a thing about astrology. Except that Angela Bassett is also a Leo, so I'm in good company."

She's quiet for a beat. "I guess that makes sense."

It's a candle.

I don't buy candles often because I tend to forget about them and have to be warned by Jun to not burn the house down. Surprisingly expensive decoration for a handful of wax you're going to burn off.

"Turn it over," she instructs after I stare at it, confused at the choice of gift. That's when I realize it has my name on it, along with notes listed below in a tiny font I'm too blind to read without my glasses. "I found this cute shop when we went to Paris the other week where you give them a description of someone and they create a personalized candle scent for you. It's supposed to be the smell of Hawaii in a candle."

I damn near shed a tear as I remove the lid and heavenly notes drift over me, transporting me back to my islands. It's exactly what I think of when I picture being back home. Salt air, plumerias in full bloom, citrusy sunlight.

"This is so sweet. I don't know what I did to deserve this but thank you."

Moxie smiles before flipping the box over and running her fingers along the embossment. "Whenever I get stressed out, I always think about how much better I'd feel if I was at home. And I know that's not the easiest to do with your job, so I figured this could be the next best thing. Whenever you're in a new city or even at home and just want to escape for an hour or two, you can light it and find your way back."

"You have no idea how much I needed this," I tell her before placing it back inside the box. "Thank you."

"No problem." After watching me put everything away, she jumps back up to her feet. "Now, please help us finish this song before Mick loses his mind."